“Missing” Frog Species Found
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Scientists in Colombia recently spotted two critically endangered frog species that were last seen 14 years ago. The team from Colombia’s Magdalena University and conservation group Fundación ProAves located a small number of frogs in forested streams about 2,000 meters high in the Santa Marta mountains.

The species were decimated in their known historical range, which is entirely within this mountain group. The culprit is likely a fungus that has been killing amphibians throughout South America. The newly found frogs, however, appear healthy. Conservationists are racing to protect them before the fungus encroaches.

Researchers
Fundación ProAves
Magdalena University, Colombia

Image Credits 
South and Central America, August 2004 (Blue Marble Next Generation, satellite: NASA Terra, sensor: MODIS)
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Global Land Cover Facility, satellite: NASA Landsat 7, sensor: ETM+)
Frog range maps (IUCN Red List)
Frogs/El Dorado location (ProAves Foundation)

Related Science Bulletins
Global Warming: Frog Extinctions (January 30, 2006)
Sites of Imminent Extinction (December 19, 2005)