The Mountain Chicken (Leptodactylus fallax) is one of the largest frogs in the world and can only be found on Dominica and Montserrat.
Issues such as overhunting, habitat loss and the fungal disease; Chytridiomycosis has brought this species of frogs on the brink of extinction on both islands with Dominica remaining as the stronghold.
Since the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017, the Amphibian team and staff of The Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division has been conducting field monitoring and surveys in hope of finding surviving mountain chicken.
To date, only one frog has been seen and one frog heard vocalizing in the wild.
Senior Amphibian Officer, Machel Sulton, said: “it is high time that we take conservation of our endemic species and natural resources seriously”.
“After such a hurricane, it is expected that the frogs would move from their usual habitat in search of new homes etc,” he said. “It is too early to pinpoint where exactly they have moved to because the breeding season is closed. Once the breeding season is on and vocalization increases it will help us in locating the frog and we will be able to give an exact count of survival.”
Prior to Hurricane Maria, there were an estimated 250 frogs out in the wild and today, the struggle continues to find just one.
Field monitoring and surveys are conducted three times a week; visits are made different sites in hope of finding more surviving frogs.
“250 sounds like a big number but I must warn that this population could be wiped out in one day, which again strengthens the need for more vigorous conservation programs and policy, as it is critical in becoming the first climate resilient island in the Caribbean region,” Sulton said.
World Frog Day was observed on March 20, 2018.
The Crapaud should be put on the Dominica endangered species list if not already the same with the parrots.
I think it’s high time that we appoint “Bubbles” as Minister of Crapaud.
They we eaten by dominicans
Whatever happened to the Crapauds that were sent to the UK for ex-situ conservation? What’s the latest? Anybody know what were the arguments used to justify sending the Crapaud to the UK ? And who is the forest officer involved? We need to investigate this as well.
Two Sisserous went yo Germany because they were in captivity and we do nor know if the rest died in the forest.Therefore captive breeding is the only way to go.!!
Are you an expert? You obviously have not been listening to mr. Durant, who has been checking on these birds in the wild as well as in the botanic garden in his professional capacity working for the forestry div. for many years. and who assures us that these birds survived in the wild.
Send it to Germany.
Eh ben, now they have a concentration camp for parrots?
We’ve seen 2 frogs in Castle Comfort. Check there!
Hmmm, I see plenty of Crapauds every time I go to Roseau, crapauds and crabs!
The Government should protect most of Dominica wild life the way the Sisserou-parrots are protected.
Watching
The Sisserou parrots cannot be safely protected as so many would not have been allowed to leave our shores bound for Germany .