In a heartwarming tale that spans continents, a miraculous event has unfolded at London Zoo: a group of darling froglets, originating from the lush forests of southern Chile, has not only survived but thrived in their new home. The journey of these tiny creatures, known as Darwin’s frogs in honor of the renowned scientist Charles Darwin, is nothing short of extraordinary.
London Zoo proudly announced on Monday that a total of 33 endangered Darwin’s frogs were successfully born within their confines as part of a crucial rescue effort aimed at preserving the species from the brink of extinction. The populations of Darwin’s frogs in their native habitat, the Parque Tantauco forests in southern Chile, have experienced a devastating decline of 90% within just one year due to the emergence of a deadly disease called chytrid fungus in 2023. This menacing fungus has wreaked havoc on hundreds of amphibian species worldwide, posing a severe threat to their survival.
What sets Darwin’s frogs apart is their unique reproductive strategy: the female frogs lay eggs, and it is the male frogs’ responsibility to protect and nurture the tiny tadpoles within their expandable vocal sacs, ensuring their safe development. In a race against time, a dedicated team of conservationists embarked on a mission to locate healthy Darwin’s frogs unaffected by the infectious disease in Chile’s forests in October. They managed to gather 52 frogs, transporting them in carefully controlled climate boxes on a remarkable 7,000-mile journey by boat, car, and plane to their new sanctuary in London.
Among the transported frogs were 11 resilient male specimens, each measuring under 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) in size, carrying a total of 33 precious tadpoles that were later born at the zoo. Ben Tapley, the curator of amphibians at London Zoo, expressed the urgency and significance of the rescue mission, emphasizing the critical need to act swiftly to save these delicate creatures. He described the successful rearing of the froglets by their parents as a poignant symbol of hope for the species’ survival.
Andres Valenzuela-Sanchez, a dedicated researcher at ZSL, the conservation charity supporting London Zoo, underscored the importance of this project in providing a lifeline for the species’ future prospects. He asserted that these frogs play a pivotal role not only in their own species’ survival but also in advancing our understanding of combating chytrid fungus and safeguarding amphibians worldwide.
