The Branch’s Rain Frog has been rediscovered after 15 years; the elusive frog was found alongside another, reigniting hope to conservationists.
South Africa (14 November 2023) – The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) recently shared that the Branch’s Rain Frog has been rediscovered after it was last seen in 2008. The elusive little frog has the entire conservation community rejoicing, especially because they managed to discover two frogs.
The EWT team took to social media to share the happy news, along with a few photos of the tiny frog. Several teams have been involved in the project to help collect data regarding the rain frog.
‘This species has only been seen once before – in 2008 – when a single specimen was found north of Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape. The species was described by Professor Alan Channing in 2012 from this specimen. As part of a project to identify priority habitats and conduct surveys for Data Deficient species, last week, together with Bionerds, SANBI’s REFRESH project and under the guidance of Les Minter, a well-known Rain Frog expert, we set off to the north-west coast on what was our third trip to the area to survey for this species.’
“In the early, foggy hours of a Thursday morning, by tracking the tiny footprints left in the sand dunes, the team were elated to report finding not one but two of these elusive frogs! This discovery not only confirms the existence of the species but will help pave the way for future conservation work in the area.” – Endangered Wildlife Trust
‘This work has been made possible by Rainforest Trust (Priority Areas Project), Synchronicity Earth and Anglo American Nature Positive Grant.’
The Rainforest Trust is based in the United States but invests in research throughout the world.
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