Viral squeaky frog now at risk of extinction

A frog that became an internet sensation because of its trademark squeaky defensive call has been added to a global list of species at high risk of extinction.

It is found only in a narrow strip of sand dunes in southern Africa, where it burrows into the sand.

Conservationists say diamond mining and planned energy developments are threatening the desert rain frog's home, with numbers expected to decline by 20% over the next two decades.

And like many frogs, even its appeal can become a threat, with some species targeted for the pet trade.

This is part of a broader assessment looking at thousands of species at risk of extinction across the world.

Scientists are concerned the frog's "cute" looks could increase demand from collectors.

"Frogs that are so unique looking as this can become victims of their own fame," said Benjamin Tapley, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the Zoological Society of London.

But it is the mining industry that is currently threatening the desert rain frog and its exceptional habitat.

It lives in sand dunes just 6 miles (10km) wide only coming up to feed and breathe. It depends on this specific environment, which is why it is not found anywhere else on Earth.

"If the habitat was transformed, there's no room for this species to move further up the coast or further down the coast," said Alex Lawrence, a scientist with the conservation group Anura Africa.

But he remains hopeful.

"While it is now at risk of extinction, it is still far from being lost entirely."

The most important thing is to ensure that once the mining has been conducted, the habitat can be returned to a state where the desert rain frog can inhabit it, he said.

"Because they're so rare, it's exciting when you finally find one," he added. "They're extremely cute."

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which tracks the status of the world's plants and animals, warns that species adapted to extreme environments, like the desert rain frog, are increasingly coming under pressure as nature loss accelerates across the planet.

And there is also increased concern about a tiny snail found only around superheated springs on the ocean floor. It has now been listed as Critically Endangered.

Conservationists say this and other extraordinary deep-sea snails, limpets, mussels and clams could be threatened by plans to mine valuable minerals from the deep seabed.

Although large-scale mining has yet to begin, companies and governments are awaiting international rules that could pave the way for extraction.

Governments and mining companies are increasingly interested in mining the deep ocean for minerals needed for green technologies such as batteries.

Supporters say deep-sea mining could be less environmentally damaging than mining on land, but many scientists warn it could harm fragile and poorly understood marine ecosystems, and are calling for a pause until more research is carried out.

• Deep-sea mining tests impact over a third of seabed animals - scientists

The warning signs are not confined to animals.

Among them is Wilmott's whitebeam, a rare tree found only in the Avon Gorge near Bristol that is now reduced to fewer than 50 individuals in the wild.

Emily Beech of the plant conservation charity, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, said it is being lost because of railway works and an unknown disease.

"I think most people will not know about the real UK treasures that are hiding in plain sight," she said.

The IUCN has now assessed 175,909 species of plants, animals and fungi, of which 49,505 are threatened with extinction.

But it is not all bad news. The numbat, a small Australian marsupial once reduced to just a few hundred animals, is making a remarkable comeback thanks to decades of conservation work.

Its recovery shows that with enough support, even species on the brink can find their way back.