4 April 2024
Our newest habitat, The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians, is celebrating another conservation breeding success!
Following the amazing news that the Critically Endangered Mountain chicken frogs had bred shortly after moving to their new home, Laos warty newts have bred at our conservation Zoo for the first time ever.
An Endangered EDGE species, the striking-looking, brightly coloured Laos warty newts were only described to science in 2002.
They are known to only exist in the mountains of northern Lao People's Democratic Republic, and have been found to live exclusively in the pools at the headwater of streams.
Almost as soon as the species was described, they were exploited by commercial traders, who sought them for their eye-catching markings. Additionally, due to harvesting, and the loss and degradation of their habitat, it is estimated that there has been at least a 50% decline in population of the species in the last 10 years.
EDGE species are the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species. Since 2007, ZSL’s EDGE of Existence Programme has been championing the underdog by investing in conservation at a grass-roots level. We support aspiring conservations in developing countries – EDGE Fellows – to become experts in their field and take the lead in researching and conserving species who are close to extinction.
You can visit the Laos warty newts and many other weird and wonderful creatures at our brand-new Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians – which is open now!
Explore the Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians