Frog populations have declined dramatically throughout the world in recent decades, thanks largely to an previously unknown fungus which is effectively smothering the amphibians. We have covered this before, as many scientists insist other factors have contributed, though most agree the fungus in question is the primary cause for the population crash.
Now scientists have been given unprecedented access to the Costa Rican rainforests, where they hope to capture specimens from several endangered species and return them to research facilities. The effort is as much for conservation as information. In particular, scientists are looking for the rare Golden Toad, which was first discovered in 1966 and has not been seen since.
BBC cameras will document the frog hunt.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
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