London Zoo is celebrating the successful birth of 33 southern Darwin's froglets, marking a pivotal moment in the conservation of this endangered species following their dramatic rescue from Chile's Parque Tantauco. These amphibians, known scientifically as Rhinoderma darwinii, had faced imminent extinction due to the lethal chytrid fungus inherent to their natural habitat.
Last October, conservationists embarked on a five-day mission across the rugged terrain of Chiloé Island, Chile, after surveys revealed the deadly fungus had severely impacted the local frog population. The news was grim: monitoring had confirmed up to 90 percent of the local population was lost within just one year. The chytrid fungus, widely regarded as the most devastating infectious disease for amphibians, has resulted in catastrophic declines across numerous species worldwide.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the collaborative effort brought together experts from London Zoo, Ranita de Darwin NGO, Zoo Leipzig, and other Chilean institutions, with support from the Chilean government. The team undertook the painstaking task of locating the tiny frogs, each measuring less than 3 centimeters and weighing just about 2 grams, by mimicking their calls. Remarkably, local guides played pivotal roles, successfully eliciting responses from the frogs hidden amid the dense forest undergrowth.
By the end of the expedition, 52 healthy frogs were secured and transported under rigorous biosecurity measures. The frogs were carefully packaged within climate-controlled boxes for the long transition back to the UK, which involved boat rides and lengthy truck journeys before culminating in their arrival at Heathrow. Following their travel, 33 of these frogs were determined to still be brooding larvae within their vocal sacs, demonstrating the unique reproductive strategy seen only within their species.
Ben Tapley, curator of amphibians at London Zoo, celebrated the venture's success, stating, "The successful parent-rearing of these froglets is a powerful symbol of hope for the species, highlights what can be achieved when conservationists work together and serves as a reminder of the role of our conservation zoo." The zoo is now dedicated to studying the frogs and developing strategies to combat the chytrid fungus, with aspirations of eventually reintroducing the species to its natural habitat.
This conservation success follows the grave news of the chytrid fungus's arrival, noted by Dr. Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez, who recognized the quick action required to safeguard the species: "The situation was really, really bad; we rapidly decided we needed to do something; we needed to do an emergency rescue." The consequences of the fungus have been disastrous, killing off more than 90 amphibian species globally, and threatening countless more.
Arriving at their new home, the frogs were settled within specialized biosecure enclosures mimicking their native ecological conditions, complete with appropriate temperature, foliage, and moisture levels. After their careful integration, 11 males successfully released 33 new froglets, little frog-sized miracles born from the conservationists' efforts. Each of the froglets measures only 5 millimeters upon birth and embodies the hopes of conservationists working tirelessly to change the species' fate.
An accompanying documentary titled "A Leap of Hope," produced by wildlife filmmaker Paul Glynn, showcases the arduous mission and the delicate process of rescuing these vulnerable amphibians. It highlights both the race against time faced by conservationists but also their unwavering commitment to saving species on the brink.
Valenzuela-Sanchez summed up the significance of this venture, noting, "By working with partners in Chile, we’re able to safeguard these frogs... ensuring this unique species has a fighting chance of recovery." The birth of these froglets is not merely about increasing their numbers; it reflects broader efforts to counter the impacts of the chytrid fungus and to safeguard amphibians globally.
With the arrival of these 33 froglets, London Zoo remains dedicated to nurturing the young frogs and bolstering its amphibian population, hoping to inspire similar initiatives across the world to combat biodiversity loss. Their incredible resilience and unique breeding practices serve as powerful reminders of wildlife adaptation and the impact of human intervention on conservation.
On Feburary 3, the public can engage with the conservation narrative through the documentary's premiering on YouTube at 6:00 PM GMT, providing insight not only on this species' plight but also the urgent efforts required to preserve it. The mission to rescue the southern Darwin's frog exemplifies the transformative power of collaborative conservation efforts, serving as both hopeful and necessary during these challenging times for amphibians worldwide.