hope-for-the-planet:

Chytrid is an introduced fungus that has driven over 90 species of frog to extinction and decimated hundreds more. It’s not often that we hear good news in the fight against chytrid, but today is one of those days.

After disappearing from mainstream science for almost 30 years and thought to perhaps be lost to chytrid, the so-called “starry night” toad has been “rediscovered” by a team of scientists.

I say lost to mainstream science, because I feel it’s very important to acknowledge that the indigenous Arhuaco people who live in and manage the forest never lost track of this species. It was only after years of negotiation with the Arhuaco that scientists were allowed to enter their land and document the toads’ continued existence.

Harlequin toads, of which the “starry night” toad is one, have been particularly badly hit by anthropogenic factors like chytrid fungus, climate change, and habitat loss. Of the 96 known harlequin toad species, a full 80 are either critically endangered or extinct.

The “starry night” toad is still considered critically endangered, but that it exists at all (and exists within land protected and managed by the Arhuaco) is a huge dose of good news.

Thanks to @sabrefish for sending this story in!