Saving the world's biggest frog

Mammoth task for giant frog - 17th April 2023

Conservationists in Cameroon have ramped up efforts to preserve the goliath frog population, urging citizen scientists to record sightings of the world's largest frogs living in the region. Inhabiting the waterfall basins and rapids of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, the hefty amphibians grow up to the size of a domestic cat.

Weighing between 600 and 3,250 grams and reaching lengths up to 32 centimetres, it's being hailed as a cultural icon for the region. Goliath frogs play a crucial role in the ecosystem, keeping insect populations in check. Conservationist Cedrick Fogwan reported that "When I found this species was unique - the biggest one in the world - I said, this is something that we cannot easily find elsewhere and I was proud of it."

However, recent decades have seen these croakless amphibians in decline due to over-hunting, as they're a regional food source. One hunter has recounted this dramatic fall; at present he's lucky to catch 2 to 5 per night, as opposed to 8 to 12 in the past. Their plight' s further compounded by the global demand for exotic pets, which sees them being trafficked internationally.

Known colloquially as the giant slippery frog, this now classified endangered species faces an even greater threat from human activity. Expansion of agriculture has led to the destruction of their natural aquatic habitats and spawning grounds.

With hopes of staving off their extinction, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified the goliath frog as an endangered species, a fact acknowledged by the Cameroonian government, which has further listed it as a Class A protected species.

Conservationists and citizen scientists have implemented measures to ensure the conservation of the species, with hunters being commissioned to record sightings and local groups establishing snail farms as a food source for the prehistoric amphibians.

Conservation efforts have yielded results as the numbers of goliath frogs returning to the surrounding rapids of Mont Nlonako Reserve continue to grow. With these prehistoric giant amphibians dating back 250 million years, compared to homo sapiens' 300,000 year old existence, it's hoped that our coexistence will last for millions more years to come.