A giant frog species that coexisted with dinosaurs, known as a “living fossil,” is now facing habitat loss in Chile due to climate change and human activity.
The Calyptocephallela gayi, or Helmeted Water Toad, ranks among the world’s largest frogs, reaching over 30 cm (1 foot) in length and weighing up to 1 kg (2.2 lbs).
This amphibian has shown minimal genetic changes for millions of years. However, scientists now consider its future endangered.
“It’s tragic that human actions now threaten a species that survived alongside dinosaurs and a mass extinction,” stated Melissa Cancino, a veterinarian and founder of Proyecto Anfibia, an organization committed to amphibian research and education in Chile.
The Helmeted Water Toad’s habitat extends from Coquimbo in the north to Chiloe Island in the south. Since 1990, its population has likely dropped by at least 30%, earning it a “vulnerable” status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
According to Cancino, climate change, habitat disruption, environmental degradation, and pollution have all contributed to the decline in the number of Helmeted Water Toad. Inadequate water and waste management also pose significant risks to its habitat.
Matias Faundez, another Proyecto Anfibia member, has witnessed the degradation firsthand.
“As I wade through a stream outside Valparaiso, I see this estuary, which the city impacts with numerous illegal run-offs. Despite these challenges, the frog continues to survive,” he observed.
