Rare frogs arrive at London Zoo in conservation bid

Two critically endangered frog species from Ghana’s Atewa Hills Forest Reserve are being cared for at London Zoo’s Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians exhibit. The Atewa slippery frog, identified in 2021, is threatened by habitat destruction from mining and is believed to have fewer than 1,500 individuals in the wild. The Afia Birago’s puddle frog, described in 2018, is thought to survive in only two pools within the reserve. The frogs arrived in September 2025 through a partnership involving ZSL, Herp Conservation Ghana, and the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana. All 20 Atewa slippery frog tadpoles survived the journey and developed into adults. London Zoo later became the first institution to breed the Atewa slippery frog in human care, while staff helped establish a dedicated amphibian conservation facility in Ghana using field sampling and habitat recreation.

"The Atewa slippery frog and Afia Birago's puddle frog, both native to Ghana's Atewa Hills Forest Reserve, are now being cared for at the zoo's Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians exhibit. Scientists say both species are under growing threat from habitat destruction caused by mining in the forest reserve. The Atewa slippery frog was only identified by scientists in 2021 and is believed to have fewer than 1,500 individuals remaining in the wild. The species is known for its unusual fish-like swimming ability and distinctive "whistling" call."

"Afia Birago's puddle frog, first described in 2018, is small enough to sit on a 1 coin and is now thought to survive in just two pools within the reserve. The frogs were brought to London in September 2025 through a partnership between the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Herp Conservation Ghana and the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana. Zoo officials said all 20 Atewa slippery frog tadpoles survived the 4,500-mile journey to the UK and later developed successfully into adults."

"In November 2025, London Zoo also became the first institution in the world to breed the Atewa slippery frog in human care. Ben Tapley, the zoo's curator of reptiles and amphibians, said: "With both frog species facing an imminent risk of extinction, but limited experience in amphibian care and difficulties obtaining specialist equipment locally, it was decided that a population of the frogs should be moved to ZSL's London Zoo to learn as much as possible about these species while we still have the time.""

"Amphibian keeper Unnar Aevarsson also travelled to Ghana to help establish what conservationists say is West Africa's first dedicated amphibian conservation facility. Researchers collected water samples and images of local vegetation to recreate the frogs' habitat. The effort aims to support conservation by improving care and habitat conditions for the threatened species while pressures from mining continue to damage the Atewa Hills Forest Reserve."

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