Only one specimen has been found, and the scientists hope to learn more about how many exist and in what regions they live. The Andes Mountain regions, where the frog was found, are threatened by deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and other environmental threats.
“Otherworldly” frog endangered
Approximately 57% of amphibian species in Ecuador are endangered.
The discovery of the new species was surprising for the researchers. The frog jumped in their direction as they were making their way through the vegetation near a ravine.
The mountainous forest where the stream frog lives is full of fantastic landscapes of moss and rich vegetation, reminiscent of the Fangorn forest in Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”
The protected area of the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park has allowed scientists to discover a significant number of species since 2020.
The reaction to the new frog has been well received by fans, and the scientists personally delivered the news to social media pages and blogs dedicated to the late author and his fantasy worlds.
