It's Not Too Late to Ribbit! Ribbit Good!

Those who follow matters relating to wildlife welfare worldwide know that it's been kind of a long and grim news cycle for the poor frog.

The reasons for its problems are unclear, but there are several possible culprits: climate change, accumulation of toxins, rampant fungi, and UV radiation exposure all appear to play a role in steep losses in frog populations around the world over the past few decades.

Needless to say, we were all due for some good herpetological news.U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) biologists announced recent sightings in southern California of a species of frog so rare it was believed to be extinct. The confirmed sighting of mountain yellow-legged frogs occurred in the San Bernardino National Forest and are the first such field finding in 50 years.

Scientists observed the frogs in two locations separated by more than two miles. As the frog has very a limited range, this relatively broad distance could indicate the surprising presence of a healthy mountain yellow-legged frog population that has gone undetected.

A person behind the finding expresses understandable optimism about what the newly rediscovered frog population could mean:

"If this population is large, it could play an important role in the re-establishment of this species across Southern California," said Adam Backlin, leader of the field team.

Photo courtesy of Adam Backlin, U.S.G.S.