6 froglets have hatched in the zoo, but a female frog can produce an estimated 10,000-25,000 eggs.
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After a five year wait, London Zoo has successfully bred a pair of Mountain Chicken frogs, the world’s most threatened amphibian species.
The new pair were recently moved into London Zoological Society’s (ZSL) newest experience – The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians.
The male arrived at the zoo in November 2023, resulting in six froglets almost four months later.
ZSL’s curator of the exhibit, Ben Tapley said: “We are delighted at how quickly the Mountain Chicken frog colony have settled into their new home. Soon after they arrived, we spotted the female frog guarding her foam nest.”
The mountain chicken frogs, which are officially named giant ditch frogs, are particularly large for their species, weighing as much a can of soup (360g).
They were placed in their new enclosure due to open to visitors in Easter.
“Mountain chicken frogs are incredible parents. The mother regularly visits the nest to lay unfertile eggs, which the growing brood will feed on, she also guards her nests, puffing up and using her body to defend her young from anything that gets a little too close.”
Why are they threatened?
The frogs were once widespread across the Caribbean, until a fatal and highly infectious fungus (chytrid fungus), brought to the Dominica in 2002, rapidly spread through the species.
ZSL estimates that it wiped out more than 90% of their population, leaving only 21 individuals left in the wild.
The concentration of the species in such a limited area and the lack of scientific knowledge are thought to have contributed to the decline.
“Conservationists hope the shocking figure will shine a light on how threats such as infectious disease, habitat loss, invasive species, climate change and pollution continue to threaten the future of the culturally significant frog.”
The mother guards her nest by puffing up and using her body to defend her young, occasionally letting out a vocal sound. Credit: London Zoological Society.
Future of the species depends on their success
ZSL plays a significant role conserving species from across the world.
Since the fungus epidemic, the Mountain Chicken Frog Recovery Programme (MCRP) – a global collaboration between scientists, conservationists and the governments of both Monserrat and Dominica was created.
By 2009, they had airlifted the remaining frogs to safety to preserve the species.
The family of critically endangered mountain chicken frogs at London Zoo will be visible to the public for the first time.
These froglets will play a key role in bringing this species back from the brink of extinction.
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HeadlineLondon Zoo successfully breeds the world’s most threatened frog species
Short HeadlineLondon Zoo breeds world’s most threatened frog
StandfirstThe breeding success of a pair of Mountain Chicken frogs is the first in 5 years.
After a five year wait, London Zoo has successfully bred a pair of Mountain Chicken frogs, the world’s most threatened amphibian species.
The new pair were recently moved into London Zoological Society’s (ZSL) newest experience – The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians.
The male arrived at the zoo in November 2023, resulting in six froglets almost four months later.
ZSL’s curator of the exhibit, Ben Tapley said: “We are delighted at how quickly the Mountain Chicken frog colony have settled into their new home. Soon after they arrived, we spotted the female frog guarding her foam nest.”
The mountain chicken frogs, which are officially named giant ditch frogs, are particularly large for their species, weighing as much a can of soup (360g).
They were placed in their new enclosure due to open to visitors in Easter.
“Mountain chicken frogs are incredible parents. The mother regularly visits the nest to lay unfertile eggs, which the growing brood will feed on, she also guards her nests, puffing up and using her body to defend her young from anything that gets a little too close.”
Why are they threatened?
The frogs were once widespread across the Caribbean, until a fatal and highly infectious fungus (chytrid fungus), brought to the Dominica in 2002, rapidly spread through the species.
ZSL estimates that it wiped out more than 90% of their population, leaving only 21 individuals left in the wild.
The concentration of the species in such a limited area and the lack of scientific knowledge are thought to have contributed to the decline.
“Conservationists hope the shocking figure will shine a light on how threats such as infectious disease, habitat loss, invasive species, climate change and pollution continue to threaten the future of the culturally significant frog.”
The mother guards her nest by puffing up and using her body to defend her young, occasionally letting out a vocal sound. Credit: London Zoological Society.
Future of the species depends on their success
ZSL plays a significant role conserving species from across the world.
Since the fungus epidemic, the Mountain Chicken Frog Recovery Programme (MCRP) – a global collaboration between scientists, conservationists and the governments of both Monserrat and Dominica was created.
By 2009, they had airlifted the remaining frogs to safety to preserve the species.
The family of critically endangered mountain chicken frogs at London Zoo will be visible to the public for the first time.
These froglets will play a key role in bringing this species back from the brink of extinction.
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