Scientists from Malaysia have recently discovered the rainbow toad after nearly 90 years of its disappearance from human observation.
Bornean Rainbow Toad.
This species of rainbow toad had not been seen since 1924. Therefore, Professor Indraneil Das and his colleagues from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak decided to search for the rainbow toad in August of last year. After months without results, their efforts finally paid off when the team ventured into the Penrissen mountain range in Borneo.
AP reports that three toads were found on three separate trees, including one male, one adult female, and one juvenile.
Mr. Das declined to disclose the exact location where the research team discovered the rainbow toad due to concerns about illegal hunting. The scientists will continue to study this species and other amphibians in the Penrissen area.
In recent years, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the Bornean rainbow toad, also known as the Sambas toad, among the “top 10 most wanted toad species that have gone missing.”
