Things are not going well for the animals of the world. Conservationists explain that people are driving extinction faster than new species can evolve. Simon Stuart is the chair of the Species Survival Commission for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. As he recently told reporters, measuring the rate at which new species evolve is difficult, but “there's no question that the current extinction rates are faster than that; I think it's inevitable.”

Bummer, yes. But the end of the story? Not quite – there is good news on the horizon. Experts are holding out hope that once lost animals may still exist on our planet. National Geographic reports that Conservation International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’ Amphibian Specialist Group are searching for ten species that they hope to “rediscover.” Called an unprecedented global search for "extinct" amphibians, experts hope that they are still hiding out somewhere on the planet. And if rediscovered, these amphibians can be nurtured back to a strong place on our planet.

And just who are these amphibians? Courtesy of National Geographic, check out our look of the world’s ten most wanted “extinct” amphibians.

Gastric Brooding Frog
Photo courtesy Mike Tyler via Conservation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic



The gastric brooding frog swallows her eggs, develops the tadpoles in her stomach, and “gives birth” to live frogs through her mouth. Last seen in 1985 in Australia, the frog is thought to have disappeared due to loss of habitat and the usually fatal chytrid fungus.

Scarlet Frog
Photo courtesy of Enrique La Marca, Conversation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic



This frog used to live in an isolated Venezuelan cloud forest and was last seen in 1990. Experts hope that this niche frog, who liked to hide out in isolated spaces, is living somewhere beyond the reach of humanity.

Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad
Photo courtesy of Luis Coloma via Conservation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic



This native of Ecuador, last seen in 1995, was likely felled by the chytrid fungus. This fungus is capable of infecting all amphibians on the planet and is responsible for the decline of populations and mass species extinctions. Great strides have been made against the disease – recent news is that a common human eye ointment can save afflicted amphibians.

Golden Toad
Photo by Michael Fogden, Getty Images
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic



This toad was last seen in Costa Rica in 1989. It is thought that drought and climate influences brought about the apparent demise of this animal, though experts are hopeful they will be found once more.

Jackson’s Climbing Salamander
Photo courtesy of Dave Wake via Conservation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic



The salamander lived in Guatemala until 1975. National Geographic confirmed that two salamanders may recently have been found, but further information is needed to corroborate this.

Mesopotamia Beaked Frog
Illustration courtesy Paula Andrea Romero Ardila via Conservation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic



The frog was last seen in Columbia in 1914. But experts hope that it still may be wandering the most remote parts of the country. If it does still exist, it is thought to produce eggs that hatch directly into small toad. No tadpoles for the Mesopotamian Beaked Toad!

African Painted Frog
Illustration courtesy Conversation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic

This amphibian, which has never been photographed, has not been seen from central Africa since 1950. It is believed to have disappeared because of human destruction of its habitat, though experts are hopeful it may be found once more.

Turkestanian Salamander
Illustration courtesy Pensoft Publishing via Conservation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic


This animal is largely unknown to science, as only two samples were collected in 1909 around Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, or Uzbekistan. Science claims that “much mystery” surrounds this amphibian, and experts hope to discover it to learn more.

Sambas Stream Toad
Illustration courtesy Conservational International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic


Last seen over 50 years ago, only two specimens of this animal have ever been found. They were both discovered on separate islands in Borneo. It is believed that logging has played a role in its possible extinction.

Hula Painted Frog
Photograph courtesy Heinrich Mendelssohn via Conservation International
Reprinted courtesy of National Geographic

This animal, also AWOL for 50 years, hopefully lives still in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the mountains of western Rwanda. Its habitat has been severely encroached upon by humanity – but hopes are high that it will be discovered alive and well.

Want to learn more? Check out National Geographic’s homage to these hunted and hopefully happily-living toads, frogs and salamanders.