The yellow spotted bell frog previously assumed to be extinct.
Australia is a country full of some of the most exotic and rare animals in the world. Now excited scientists have discovered that a frog, previously thought extinct, is alive and well and thriving in Australia.
The yellow spotted bell frog was thought to have been extinct since the mid 1970s when its environment was largely destroyed by agriculture. However Fisheries field scientist Luke Pearce located a whole community of the creatures in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. The exact location of the community is being kept under wraps to protect the frogs.
NSW Environment Minister Frank Sartor said the finding was as significant as discovering the Tasmanian tiger. “This discovery is a reminder of the need to protect this environment so future generations can enjoy the noise and colour of our native animals.”
The frogs were first spotted in 2008 but confirmation was needed to identify the species as the yellow spotted bell frog, that confirmation has now come through and the scientists are delighted. There are now plans to breed the frogs in captivity for release into the wild and further strengthening their numbers.
However the frog is just one success in a story where others are not so lucky. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimate that one third of the world’s population of amphibians are under threat of extinction, largely due to destruction of their natural habitats. In fact many new species of frog are still being discovered as Mike Tyler from the University of Adelaide confirms: “In the last decade, three new species of frog have been discovered in the Kimberley.” He went on to add that further species have been discovered in the Northern Territory.
It’s another argument on the side of environmentalists who currently oppose the Rudd government’s plans to increase Australian immigration numbers and population. Protestors argue that any increase in population will lead to further destruction of vital natural habitat for such endangered creatures.
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