Ancient Chilean Frog Faces Extinction Risk Due to Climate Change
The Helmeted Water Toad, an ancient frog species native to Chile, is threatened by climate change and human activities, resulting in a population decline of at least 30% since 1990. Recognized as a ‘vulnerable’ species by the IUCN, experts emphasize the urgent need for conservation efforts amid the challenges posed by environmental degradation and pollution.
The Helmeted Water Toad, an ancient frog species thriving alongside dinosaurs, faces severe threats due to climate change in its native Chile. The species, recognized for its substantial size—growing over 30 centimeters and weight reaching one kilogram—has remained genetically unchanged for millions of years. Melissa Cancino, an esteemed veterinarian and founder of Proyecto Anfibia, emphasizes the troubling ironies of the frog’s plight: “It is sad that a species that managed to coexist with dinosaurs, that managed to resist a mass extinction, is now threatened by human beings.”
Despite its once sprawling habitat, the Helmeted Water Toad’s population has alarmingly declined by at least 30 percent since 1990, earning it a status of “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Factors contributing to this reduction include climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, and ineffective waste management practices, as highlighted by Cancino. Furthermore, Matias Faundez, also of Proyecto Anfibia, sheds light on the ecological crisis: “This estuary runs through the whole city, and has plenty of illegal run-offs. Even so, the frog manages to survive.”
The Helmeted Water Toad is a unique amphibian species that has persisted alongside dinosaurs for millions of years, earning it the designation of a “living fossil.” Threats to its survival have escalated as climate change interacts with human activity. The toad’s habitat, which spans much of Chile, now faces significant challenges. Understanding these issues requires recognition of both natural and anthropogenic factors adversely impacting amphibian populations across the globe.
The plight of the Helmeted Water Toad underscores a critical environmental challenge as species that have survived for millennia now face unprecedented threats from human-induced climate change. The insights provided by experts from Proyecto Anfibia illuminate the urgency of conserving this historic species, as well as the broader implications of habitat destruction on biodiversity. Continuing conservation efforts are vital to protect not only the Helmeted Water Toad, but the fragile ecosystems that support it.
Original Source: learningenglish.voanews.com
