Seven Archey's Frogs hatched in December at Auckland Zoo, and are continuing to thrive. Auckland Zoo holds the only captive population of this critically endangered species, and its breeding is a significant achievement. Story here: Archey's Frogs Breed At Auckland Zoo - science | Stuff.co.nz The last bit is quite exciting too, this will be the first time the species has been displayed (properly) at the zoo, and may be the first time any of the four endemic frog species have been displayed in a manner that may actually allow visitors to see them (i.e. in a reverse-lit exhibit, as they are a nocturnal species).
Longer article, and photos of the hatchlings, on Auckland Zoo's website: Auckland Zoo - Big leap forward in breeding of rare frog There is also a link on that page to a Radio NZ interview with NZ Fauna Curator Richard Gibson.
Further articles linked below, these are mostly slightly edited versions of the previous articles, although the TV3 article adds that the Archey's Frog exhibit in Te Wao Nui's "The Night" (which has been empty since the area opened in Sep 2011) should be open by Easter. Endangered frog gets a jump-start - Story - Environment/Sci - 3 News Rare frogs thriving at zoo - National - NZ Herald News
I saw this on the news this morning but didn't have time to post anything. Very good news, both in terms of the breeding and the upcoming display. I think at least one of those breedings might be from frogs I collected on the Coromandel back in 1995, but I can't really remember if it was that lot that bred or another group.
Thats pretty cool. Were they very difficult to find? Were the frogs collected for DOC? Where were they kept after capture?
It looks like Auckland Zoo has also acquired some wild frogs in the last year. Last year's census shows the zoo holding 3.4.15 (22), while they currently hold 6.17.10 (33), which suggests they got at least 4 wild frogs (plus the 7 hatchlings).
it was for the university. I actually can't remember if they were bred there after all, or if my memory is faulty. Anyway, we were collecting both Archey's and Hochstetter's to set up some colonies. Pretty easy to find (but probably not nowadays).
Probably not, no Still very cool, I've never seen a native frog, and I probably won't anytime soon either.
no, just a few. They lay the eggs on land and the male guards them, and then carries the froglets around on his back (the entire tadpole stage takes place within the egg, so they hatch out as miniature frogs). Hochstetter's frog lays its eggs in burrows, and they hatch out as non-feeding tadpoles which metamorphose shortly afterwards (I can't remember the details off the top of my head though).
Forest & Bird Blog about the breeding of Archey's Frogs: Forest & Bird Blog Archive Breeding breakthrough for critically endangered frog Just as a slightly amusing and totally unnecessary aside, Richard Gibson is also the name of the actor who played the original Herr Otto Flick of the Gestapo in the classic BBC comedy 'Allo 'Allo. The only connection between Herr Flick and frogs is that he made a truth serum from the Self-inflating Peruvian Marsh Frog in one memorable episode, which had the unfortunate side-effect of causing inflation of certain body parts of those who took the serum.
That is fantastic news, great that they are breeding, and getting a further 20 individuals. Hopefully the population to be introduced to Pureora establishes. They are on display in The Night exhibit at Te Wao Nui (or at least there is an enclosure for them), but it is so dark that they are more or less impossible to see.
Great hear breeding success has continued. Exciting news on reintroduction project and additional frogs for the captive-breeding and rearing program!
