The Togo slippery frog (Conraua derooi), also known as the Whistling Frog, is a unique amphibian species belonging to the genus Conraua. Diverging from all other amphibians over 80 million years ago, it is as distantly related to other frogs as bats are to the giant panda. This species, found along the Ghana-Togo border in the Togo-Volta highlands, prefers clean, fast-running bodies of water like waterfalls and rocky streams. Unlike typical frogs, it grows from tadpole to adulthood without leaving the water
With a global population of less than 250 adults, it is classified as critically endangered due to a small and declining population and a restricted geographic range. Human activities, such as logging, agriculture expansion, and pollution, have led to habitat loss and a decrease in water quality, affecting the frog’s reproductive success. Harvesting for food and the pet trade has also contributed to its decline.
Despite being flagged as possibly extinct, small populations were rediscovered in eastern Ghana and western Togo. Since 2012, Herp-Ghana has worked with local communities to study and conserve the species. Successful efforts include reducing human consumption and establishing the Onepone Endangered Species Refuge, safeguarding the last viable population of the Whistling Frog..
Captive breeding
Collaborating with CSIR-FORIG and the Zoological Society of London, Herp Ghana is pioneering the establishment of West Africa’s first captive breeding center for amphibians. This groundbreaking initiative marks a substantial advancement in the region’s conservation efforts, crucial for protecting amphibian species threatened by habitat destruction and diseases.
