The yellow-spotted bell frog has been extinct for 30 years — or so we thought.
Luke Pearce, a fisheries conservation officer in the New South Wales southern tablelands was surveying a stream for endangered fish when he came across something even rarer: extinct frogs. He brought in a herpetologist (which is a profession that makes it really hard to get a date) and, according to World News Australia, “a thriving population” was found.
Pearce, the herpetologist and everyone else who knows have all been sworn to secrecy about where the frogs were hiding.
“This discovery is a reminder of the need to protect this environment so future generations can enjoy the noise and color of our native animals,” said Environment Minister Frank Sartor. And protect it they will, by keeping the location a secret. They’re also reportedly talking to Taronga Zoo in Sydney about a captive breeding program.
Doctor David Hunter, a threatened species officer at the New South Wales Environment Department, said: “This was definitely the most exciting moment of my career and I’d be surprised if I’ll repeat it.”
This is one of those little miracles that we hope to see happen again. Who knows, the dodo bird could be hiding in your backyard! Check out these photos of animals that were photographed before they became extinct and keep your eyes peeled.
The above photo is a chorus frog. We’d have gotten you a picture of a yellow-spotted bell frog, but the Australians won’t tell us where they are. Photo by Benimoto via Flickr.
