Sometimes, it can seem as though love is just about everywhere we look – especially when we’re alone. No one could sit back and watch the World’s Loneliest Frog anymore. Something had to change.
A Sudden Decline
The Sehuencas water frog was once found in Bolivia where they lived throughout the cloud forests. However, that was all about to change. Climate change teamed with pollution, habitat loss, and a fatal pathogen meant the species was suddenly on the decline. It wasn’t long before no one saw any more frogs.
The World’s Loneliest Frog
Romeo, a water frog, had been brought to a museum in Bolivia in 2008 as the team wanted to start a conservation programme. Unfortunately, the rapid decline meant it wasn’t long before it looked as though he was the only one left of his species. Romeo spent ten years ribbiting for a mate until one day he stopped. He had finally lost hope.
Launching A Campaign
The world was determined to find Romeo his Juliet, so many sites, including Match.com, launched a campaign hoping to raise $15,000 to fund expeditions to the cloud forests in the search of a mate. The world soon fell for Romeo’s story as everyone wanted to find the World’s Loneliest Frog his one true love.
The Search Was On
Amazingly, the campaign soon raised $25,000 and the team was off. They had to wait until the rainy season, when the frogs were most likely to be active in the forests, but now they had the money to return time after time until they found the perfect match.
Finding The One
The researchers spent days camping in the cold, wet weather in the hopes of finding a mate for Romeo. Thankfully, they weren’t disappointed. In fact, the team were able to capture two females and three males thanks to the funding.
Time Will Tell
The scientists have placed their new additions into quarantine to check they aren’t carrying the pathogen before introducing them to Romeo, but it finally seems as though there could be some good news for this species.
While we might have to wait for the outcome of this love story, it seems as though there really could be someone out there for everyone after all – even if you are the World’s Loneliest Frog.