Thu Dec 19 06:57:13 UTC 2024: ## Ancient Frog Facing Extinction Due to Climate Change and Human Activity
**Santiago, Chile –** The Helmeted Water Toad ( *Calyptocephalella gayi*), a giant frog species that coexisted with dinosaurs, is facing extinction due to climate change and human intervention, scientists warn. This amphibian, reaching lengths of over 30 cm and weighing up to 1 kg, boasts minimal genetic variation over millions of years, but its future is now critically threatened.
Researchers from Proyecto Anfibia, a Chilean research group, have observed a population decline of at least 30% since 1990. The frog, listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is suffering from habitat loss, pollution, and poor water management across its range, from Coquimbo in the north to Chiloe Island in the south.
“It’s sad that a species that survived mass extinction alongside dinosaurs is now threatened by humans,” said Melissa Cancino, founder of Proyecto Anfibia. Matias Faundez, another member of the group, highlighted the impact of illegal runoff polluting the frog’s habitat, even in areas where the species manages to persist. The researchers are calling for increased conservation efforts to protect this ancient amphibian from the combined pressures of climate change and human activity.
First Piper 