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HARARE,
Zimbabwe — The cave squeaker is back. Researchers in Zimbabwe say they
have found a rare frog that has not been seen in decades. The
Arthroleptis troglodytes, below, also known as the cave squeaker because
…
HARARE, Zimbabwe — The cave squeaker is back.
Researchers in Zimbabwe say they have found a rare frog that has not been seen in decades.
The
Arthroleptis troglodytes, below, also known as the cave squeaker
because of its preferred habitat, was discovered in 1962, but there were
no reported sightings of the elusive amphibian after that. An
international “red list” of threatened species tagged them as critically endangered and possibly extinct.
Robert
Hopkins, a researcher at the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, in
Bulawayo, said his team had found four specimens of the frog in its
known habitat of Chimanimani, a mountainous area in eastern Zimbabwe.
The
research team found the first male specimen on Dec. 3 after they
followed an animal call they had not heard before, Mr. Hopkins said.
They then discovered two other males and a female. Mr. Hopkins said he
been looking for the cave squeaker for eight years.
“I was not with my team when they were found,” he said. “I was at the base. I can no longer climb the mountains as I am 75.”
Researchers
plan to breed more frogs with the ones taken from their habitat and
then reintroduce them to the mountain summit. The frog is tiny and light
brown with dark spots.
Now
the authorities fear for the frogs’ security, especially because
scientists’ and researchers’ huge interest could result in the frog
being captured and illegally exported. Mr. Hopkins said 16 specimens
were on display at various museums, including the British Museum.
Caroline
Washaya-Moyo, a spokeswoman for the Zimbabwe National Parks and
Wildlife Management Authority, said: “We are expecting an influx of
scientists looking for it. We will do everything in our power to protect
and conserve the frog.” 
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