Cave Squeaker, Rare Frog Last Seen in 1962, Is Found in Zimbabwe

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. "Cave Squeaker, Rare Frog Last Seen in 1962, Is Found in Zimbabwe." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 4 Feb. 2017. Web. 6 Feb. 2017. <https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/04/world/africa/zimbabwe-frog-cave-squeaker.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront>.

Researchers in Zimbabwe have recently found the Arthroleptis troglodytes, also know as the cave squeaker frog, for the first time since 1962. It is tiny and light brown with dark spots. The frog was placed on the "red list" of threatened species, and was considered critically endangered and possibly extinct.  Four specimens of the frog were found in the known habitat of the frog called Chimanimani, a mountainous area in eastern Zimbabwe, by a team led by Robert Hopkins of the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe. The team located the frogs by following an unfamiliar animal call, which led them to the first male frog. They soon found two other males and a female. This is the culmination of an eight year long search by Mr. Hopkins and his team. They plan to breed the frogs and then reintroduce them into their natural habitat. However, authorities are now anxious for the security of the frogs, believing that the rediscovery will spark immense interest in them and lead to a rise in illegal capture and export. As of now, there are only 16 of these frogs on display around the world. Caroline Washaya-Moyo, a spokeswoman for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said, "We are expecting an influx of scientists looking for it. We will do everything in our power to protect and conserve the frog." The fate of the cave squeaker frog remains unknown. 
This article discussed the resurgence of an endangered species, a main topic of ecology. The Earth's biodiversity has plummeted in the past 200 years, and it is interesting to see how conservation can lead to some species reappearing even decades after they were thought to be extinct. This lesson can be extrapolated beyond the cave squeaker frog, and is relevant in the discussion surrounding Bengal tigers, rhinos, and other notable threatened species. People must decide whether or not we value protecting species such as the cave squeaker frog, and if so, act quickly to promote conservation projects.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. It was short, to the point, and gave relevant details. However, I would have liked some more quotes from ecology experts on the significance of finding this frog. I also would have liked the author to discuss the frog more, including its traits, place in the food chain, and role in the ecosystem it lives in.