The cave squeaker returns: Rare frog seen after decades

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- The cave squeaker is back.

Researchers in Zimbabwe said they have found a rare frog that hadn't been seen in decades.

The Artholeptis troglodytes, known as the "cave squeaker" because of its preferred habitat, was discovered in 1962, but there were no reported sightings of the elusive amphibian after that.

An international "red list" of threatened species tagged them as critically endangered and possibly extinct.

Robert Hopkins, a researcher at the natural history museum in Bulawayo city, said his team had found four specimens of the frog in its known habitat of Chimanimani, a mountainous area in the east.

The team found the first male specimen Dec. 3 after following an animal call they had not heard, Hopkins said. They discovered another two males and a female. Hopkins said he had been looking for the cave squeaker for eight years.

"I was not with my team when they were found. I was at the base. I can no longer climb the mountains, as I am 75," Hopkins said.

Researchers plan to breed more frogs with the ones taken from their habitat and reintroduce them to the mountain summit. The frog is tiny and light brown with dark spots.

Now authorities fear for the frogs' security, especially from "the scientific world" whose interest could result in the frog being captured and illegally exported. Hopkins said 16 specimens are on display at museums, including the British Museum.

"We are expecting an influx of scientists looking for it. We will do everything in our power to protect and conserve the frog," said Caroline Washaya-Moyo, spokeswoman for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

She said a management plan will be devised to protect the cave squeaker.