IUCN Species of the Day: Steiner’s Shrub Frog

 

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm)

Photo credit: Franco Andreone

 

Steiner’s Shrub Frog, Philautus steineri, was first listed as ‘ENDANGERED’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ in 2006 and this classification has remained unchanged. Steiner’s Shrub Frog is endemic to Sri Lanka and occupies an area smaller than 500km² in the Knuckles Mountain Range.

 The major threat to Steiner’s Shrub Frog is the clearing of its forest habitat. Logging, as well as smallholder agricultural activities, have resulted in a declining population in recent years. The whole Knuckles Forest region was declared as a National Man and Biosphere Reserve by the Sri Lankan Government in April 2000, offering Steiner’s Shrub Frog some habitat protection.

 There is still, however, an urgent need for further protection of forest habitats in the Corbett’s Gap region of Sri Lanka, and for continued monitoring of the species’ population in order to prevent further reduction in the number of Steiner’s Shrub Frogs.

 This frog is named in honour of Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme.

 

Geographic Range of the Steiner’s Shrub FrogCredit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

 

To learn more about the Steiner’s Shrub Frog, click here.  Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species by clicking their logo below.

 

 

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