Latonia – Hula painted frog
Was recently (2011) rediscovered after being declared extinct for 60 years
The so-called Lazarus species, named after the man in the Bible who was resurrected from the dead by Jesus, are animals that recover from (erroneously supposed) extinction in this way. The Hula painted frog is one of them. It only exists in Israel’s Lake Hula wetlands.
It was believed to have vanished when they were drained. It hasn’t, although the IUCN Red List classifies it as critically endangered. Fewer than 20 specimens have ever been discovered, yet multiple individuals have been located near a single pond since its recovery. Israel currently protects the Hula Painted Frog as a species.
Species in this genus
Hula painted frog
It was recently (2011) rediscovered after being declared extinct for 60 years