New frog found in NZ: 03-03-2008
A rare frog has been found breeding in an animal park in New Zealand.
It is good news for the Maud Island frog as the species is endangered and had never previously been seen to be breeding.
Staff at the animal park were delighted when they noticed 13 tiny froglets clinging to the back of a fully-grown male.
The frogs are said to be around the size of a finger nail and are seen as something of a miracle as it proves that Maud Island frogs will mate in captivity.
"Maud Island frogs have never been found breeding" Kerri Lukis from the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington told the Associated Press.
"It's wonderful timing for 2008 - International Year of the Frog and a Leap Year," she added.
It is now hoped that Maud Island frogs in other sanctuaries will now be able to follow the lead of those in Wellington and begin breeding in an attempt to save their species from extinction.
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