Securing the Future of Darwin's Frogs: A conservation roadmap

Hear from the scientists, conservationists and on-the-ground specialists working to bring the Darwin's frogs back from the brink of extinction.

Working with more than 20 institutions from across the world, we are delighted to share the second edition of the Binational Strategy for the Conservation of Darwin's Frogs. This document will act as a roadmap to guide protection of these charismatic and threatened amphibians until 2040, as they face myriad threats from disease to habitat loss.

In this online webinar event, speakers will deliver short presentations on the work that led them to development of the strategy, the progress that has led to this stage, and the challenges faced along the way. A panel discussion will follow, including ample time for questions from the audience and an opportunity to learn how to join this binational conservation network.

The strategy, which will be implemented between 2026 and 2040, consolidates more than a decade of collaborative work aimed at preventing the extinction of the two species known as Darwin's frogs; the southern Darwin's frog (Rhinoderma darwinii) and the northern Darwin's frog, or cow frog (R. rufum) - the latter not observed since 1981 and classified as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct). The strategy incorporates improvements to methodologies for protection of the species, and reaffirms the commitment of the diverse range of organisations dedicated to working collaboratively to prevent their extinction.

Darwin's frogs are the only known amphibians in which males raise tadpoles within their vocal sac, a parenting strategy which is unique, compared to the other 9,000 species of amphibians. These species inhabit the native forests of Chile and Argentina, ecosystems which face increasing pressures from habitat loss, climate change, and chytridiomycosis, an infectious disease that has decimated amphibian populations worldwide.

Reserve your free place

Please note this webinar has been rearranged to Wednesday 14th October (originally scheduled for Wednesday 23rd September). If you already had a booking to attend, this has automatically been moved to the new date.

Speakers and talks

Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez, Research Fellow, Institute of Zoology, ZSL and President, NGO Ranita de Darwin - The history and development of the Binational Conservation Strategy, from its origins to the new 2026–2040 edition

Sally Wren, Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group - The importance of conservation planning in the context of global amphibian conservation and the role of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group.

Claudio Azat, Co-Chair for Chile, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group and Director, One Health Institute, Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile - The significance of the Binational Strategy within the wider challenges and opportunities for amphibian conservation across Latin America

Ben Tapley, Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, ZSL and Co-Chair, Captive Breeding Working Group, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group - How ex situ conservation can support species recovery as part of an integrated approach combining in situ conservation, research and population management
 

Learn more about the plight of the Darwin's Frog

To learn more about the threat of chytridiomycosis and the work being done to protect and restore Darwin’s frog populations, listen to the latest episode of the ZSL Wild Science Podcast: ZSL #053 - A Tiny Frog Facing an Urgent Crisis.

Find out more about the strategy

Read about the work of the organisations involved in developing the strategy, and how you can read a copy, on the strategy website: https://www.estrategiarhinoderma.org/en/segundaedicion