They have extraordinary colors, not surprisingly they are known as the harlequin frogs of Peru, a species that was believed to be extinct forever, but which fortunately is not. It was a boy who proved it.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
They have particular colors, not surprisingly they are known as le harlequin frogs of Peru, a species that was believed to be extinct forever, but which fortunately is not. It was a boy who proved it.
They are small and with always different colors, they are the harlequin frogs (Atelopus ignescens), once very common throughout Latin America so much so that especially in the villages, it was not so strange to see them jump from one place to another.
But over time, things have changed for harlequin frogs. In the last thirty years for many of them, in fact, the climate was fatal. Between the greenhouse effect and a pathogenic fungus that covered their skin blocking their breathing, these frogs were now given as being.
"Their presence was so stable in our community that we could not conceive that they were gone forever," he said louis coloma of the Jambatu Center for Research and Conservation of Amphibians, in New Scientist.
For this reason, the center had promised one reward to anyone who could find some harlequin frog. The odds of success were slim, but the researchers were hoping for some sighting.
And luck was on their side. A boy took the matter to heart, trying in every way to help the center find even a frog and in the end he succeeded.
“Obviously the boy didn't recognize the species, because he had never seen a harlequin frog, it just seemed so beautiful and curious. It took many studies to confirm his identity, but the frog was part of a small colony that we moved and kept under observation, "he continued. Louis Coloma.
For several months nothing happened, but then the frogs finally laid their eggs.
“A miracle happened and all thanks to a guy. We are far from saying that the species is safe, but at least we know that it is not extinct ”.
But frogs aren't the only endangered animals:
- 10 ANIMALS AT RISK OF EXTINCTION WHICH COULD DISAPPEAR
- MASS EXTINCTION RISK FOR MARINE ANIMALS, FAULT OF INTENSIVE FISHING (VIDEO)
- 10 ANIMAL SPECIES AT RISK OF EXTINCTION
A second chance to the harlequin frog thanks to a child's curiosity!
Dominella Trunfio
