Viral squeaky frog now at risk of extinction

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Viral squeaky frog now at risk of extinctionImage source, Jeanne TarrantImage caption, The desert rain frog (Breviceps macrops) lives only in a narrow strip of coastal sand dunes in Namibia and South AfricaByHelen Briggs, Kate Stephens and Kevin Church, Climate and Science teamPublished6 minutes agoA frog that became an internet sensation because of its trademark squeaky defensive call has been added to a global list of species at high risk of extinction. It is found only in a narrow strip of sand dunes in southern Africa, where it burrows into the sand. Conservationists say diamond mining and planned energy developments are threatening its home, with numbers expected to decline by 20% over the next two decades.

And like many frogs, even its appeal can become a threat, with some species targeted for the pet trade. This is part of a broader assessment looking at thousands of species at risk of extinction across the world. Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, To escape the harsh, dry heat, the frog digs burrows into the moist sand Scientists are concerned the frog's "cute" looks could increase demand from collectors.

The Details

"Frogs that are so unique looking as this can become victims of their own fame," said Benjamin Tapley, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the Zoological Society of London. But it is the mining industry that is currently threatening the desert rain frog and its exceptional habitat. It lives in sand dunes just 6 miles (10km) wide only coming up to feed and breathe.

It depends on this specific environment, which is why it is not found anywhere else on Earth. "If the habitat was transformed, there's no room for this species to move further up the coast or further down the coast," said Alex Lawrence, a scientist with the conservation group Anura Africa. But he remains hopeful.

"While it is now at risk of extinction, it is still far from being lost entirely. " The most important thing is to ensure that once the mining has been conducted, the habitat can be returned to a state where the desert rain frog can inhabit it, he said. "Because they're so rare, it's exciting when you finally find one," he added.

What Experts Say

"They're extremely cute. "The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which tracks the status of the world's plants and animals, warns that species adapted to extreme environments, like the desert rain frog, are increasingly coming under pressure as nature loss accelerates across the planet. And there is also increased concern about a tiny snail found only around superheated springs on the ocean floor.

It has now been listed as Critically Endangered. Conservationists say this and other extraordinary deep-sea snails, limpets, mussels and clams could be threatened by plans to mine valuable minerals from the deep seabed. Although large-scale mining has yet to begin, companies and governments are awaiting international rules that could pave the way for extraction.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.