Wildlife Conservation Society Discovers Two New Species of Frog

January 2008

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has discovered two new species of frog during an expedition to a remote forest in the Congo that has been off limits to researchers because of instability since the 1960's.

The frogs were discovered in 1,000 square kilometres of isolated forest in the Misotshi-Kabogo region. One of the frogs is in the Hyperolius genus and is small and bright green. The other frog is a 2cm long black frog that may belong to a new genus.

As well as frogs, the conservationists discovered a new species of bat, a new rat and 2 species of shrews as well as several new plant species. 10% of the plant samples could not be identified by the expedition botanists and so specimens will be examined by specialists to confirm that they are indeed new species.

There is now a real need to protect the area say the WCS. Dr James Deutsch, director of the wildlife organisation's Africa Program, said: "The survey has found that the Misotshi-Kabogo region is biologically important enough to conserve in the form of a protected area. Since few people live there, it would be relatively easy to create a park while supporting the livelihoods of people who live in the landscape."