Rare photo of the Togo slippery frog, Volta region, Ghana. ©Caleb.

The Togo slippery frog (Conraua derooi) is an evolutionary distinct and Critically Endangered frog known from only two localities; the Atewa Mountains and the Togo-Volta hills in Ghana and along the Ghana-Togo border respectively. This frog faces imminent extinction threat due to human consumption, habitat loss and the pet trade. Previous conservation efforts on this species have mainly focused on a population located in the Atewa Mountains. In contrast, the population inhabiting the Togo-Volta hills have almost been completely ignored although preliminary morphological and genetic data suggest these two populations may represent distinct species and thus may constitute a top conservation priority.

The Togo slippery along the banks of a primary forest stream, Eastern Ghana.

This RSG project proposes interventions including behaviour change education, capacity building and information based management planning as critical steps in saving this frog from extinction. Specifically, it will provide a comprehensive portrait of the population status of the Togo slippery frog by comparing population data emanating from this study with a similar ongoing RSG project in the Atewa Mountains to produce a status review report on the Togo slippery frog. Also it will produce a 10 minute video documentary of the conservation status of this Critically Endangered frog which will be linked to this page, facebook, youtube and twitter and hopefully make an important contribution to getting the public involved in saving this frog from a looming extinction threat.

We are hopeful that the interventions this project offers will provide this Critically Endangered frog a fighting chance for survival.