Maud island frog

The Maud island frog is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Maud Island frog, Leiopelma pakeka, is a New Zealand primitive frog, one of only four belonging to the ancient family Leiopelmatidae. More

Up to 1996 the Maud Island frog was only found on Maud Island. More

Images Maud Island frog © Robin Bush / www.osfimages. More

In 1997 three hundred Maud Island frogs were transferred to Motuara Island - establishing a second population of the frog in another location is insurance against a disaster, such as fire, wiping out a sole surviving population. More

Maud Island frog by Kerri Lukis = Throughout Frog Week, conditions permiting, frog researcher Kerri Lukis and Sanctuary conservation staff will be bringing visitors on our Night Tours face-to-face with our most secretive species - the nocturnal Maud Island frog. More

Rare Maud Island Frogs Hatched In New Zealand = ScienceDaily (Mar. 10, 2008) — What looks at first to be a slimy mess in a Petri dish represents a highly-significant advance in conservation and restoration ecology. More

The Maud Island frog is part of the world’s most primitive frog lineage, which has been evolving independently for over 200 million years. It is active at night and ground-dwelling, breeding on land. More

The 13 finger nail-sized Maud Island froglets were discovered clinging to the backs of full-grown male frogs at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in the capital Wellington, said researcher Kerri Lukis. More

A population of the Maud Island frog was found on Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds in the 1940s. It was first thought to be the same species as Hamilton More

For the first time in hundreds of years, the tiny Maud Island frog has hatched in the wild on New Zealand’s mainland. The froglets were discovered in Wellington’s Karori Sanctuary by Victoria University student Kerri Lukis who is currently studying the nationally threatened amphibians. More

A male of the threatened species called Maud Island Frog was found to be 37 years old, another male was 35 and a female was 34. Most frog species live between four and 15 years. More

"This is extra special because Maud Island frogs have never been found breeding in their natural habitat before, and certainly not on the mainland. It's wonderful timing for 2008 - international Year of the Frog – and a Leap Year. More

Maud Island frog on lichen, Maud Island. Photo copyright: Tui De Roy (DOC USE ONLY). Activities at the Maud Island Te Hoiere Scientific Reserve There are opportunities for university and other researchers, volunteers and school parties to visit the island. More

In this undated handout photo released by Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Maud Island frog is seen at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in the capital of Wellington, New Zealand. Rare and threatened tiny frogs have been found breeding in a New Zealand animal park, which may help save the species, researchers said Monday, March 3, 2008. More

tiny Maud Island frog, a threatened amphibian species, can reach the grand old age of 37 - the oldest recorded age of any frog out of captivity. More

The breeding suggests Maud Island frogs can be bred in other predator-free habitats — strengthening their prospects for survival, said Ben Bell, the biologist overseeing Lukis' studies. More

studies on any frog, and Maud Island frogs have proven to be some of the oldest known frogs in the wild. “What I thought might be a five year study is still ongoing, with many frogs surviving over 25 years. More

Rare Maud Island Frogs Hatched In New Zealand - Mar. More

Maud Island frog on lichen. Photo copyright: Tui De Roy (DOC USE ONLY). More

Associate Professor Bell says all the Maud Island frog skin swab samples they have DNA tested for amphibian chytrid fungus proved negative, but they will remain vigilant. More

Based on measurement and appearance, the Maud Island frog is identical to Hamilton’s frog. But in 1998 it was described as a new species, Leiopelma pakeka, because of genetic differences. More

endangered native Maud Island frog, said head keeper of native fauna, Tara Atkinson. "One key objective will be to breed and rear Maud Island Frogs from eggs through to adults. "This has not been achieved in a captive setting," Ms Atkinson said. More