The birth of 33 frogs at the London Zoo has been hailed as a “landmark moment” in the ongoing battle to save an endangered species that was first described by Charles Darwin during his epic voyage on HMS Beagle in the early 1800s.

A deadly fungus was threatening to wipe out the Southern Darwin frog in its native Chile following the introduction of the chytrid fungus to their native habitat.

The tiny frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii), which are particularly susceptible to the fungus, needed a refuge until conservationists figured out how to make their forest home safe once again.

So, conservationists embarked on an urgent 7000-mile rescue mission last October to a remote island off the coast of Chile that retrieved healthy frogs for safeguarding at the London Zoo.

The expedition was documented by wildlife filmmaker Paul Glynn, and his new film, A Leap of Hope, is due to premiere tomorrow, Monday, Feb 3, on YouTube. (Watch below…)

After 52 frogs were collected and declared chytrid-free, they travelled in specially designed, climate-controlled boxes on a six-hour boat ride, then a 15-hour drive to the capital Santiago, and a final flight to Heathrow airport and their new home in London.

The first births

“This is a landmark moment in our work to protect the Darwin’s frog from the devastating impact of chytrid fungus,” said Ben Tapley, Curator of Amphibians at London Zoo.

“The successful parent-rearing of these froglets is a powerful symbol of hope for the species, and highlights what can be achieved when conservationists work together.

“We knew we were embarking on something special. The clock was ticking, and we needed to act quickly if we were going to save these frogs—and capturing this work on film has really cemented just how vital our work is.”

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The catastrophic fungus

Southern Darwin’s frogs in the Parque Tantauco forests of southern Chile faced devastation in 2023, when surveys confirmed the arrival of the chytrid fungus.

That led to a “catastrophic” 90% decline in monitored populations within a year, due to amphibian chytridiomycosis – a disease which has now affected at least 500 amphibian species, making it the most devastating infectious disease recognized by science.

Andres Valenzuela-Sanchez of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), an Institute of Zoology research fellow, explained, “By working with partners in Chile, we’re able to safeguard these frogs in their new home at London Zoo, ensuring that this unique species has a fighting chance of recovery.

“These frogs are not only vital for the future of their species but also help us better understand how we can combat chytrid fungus and safeguard other amphibians globally.”

The 33 froglets were carried and brooded by 11 of the male frogs rescued. This male brooding makes Darwin’s frog distinct from any other frog species—except for R. rufum, which may be extinct.

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The frogs use a unique strategy to protect and rear their tiny tadpoles, carrying them inside their vocal sacs. After the females lay eggs, which develop into tadpoles, the male Darwin’s frog moves them into his vocal sac so they can mature in safety.

After traveling by boat, plane, and car to London, the fathers – each fully grown yet weighing less than two grams and measuring a little over one inch (3cm) – continued to carry the tiny tadpoles until they metamorphosed into the next generation of the extraordinary species.

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With the rearing of 33 froglets and more soon to follow, London Zoo hopes that its population of Southern Darwin’s frogs will grow from strength to strength, eventually supporting reintroduction efforts in Chile. (Watch the ZSL film which premieres at 1:00pm (EST) on Monday…)

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