MOSHI, Tanzania, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Researchers have discovered Africa's highest-living frog species on Mount Kilimanjaro at an altitude of 4000 meters. The discovery, made by Altezza Travel during a climb in June 2024, led to a scientific study to determine whether the frogs represent a new species or are known frogs living much higher than previously thought. Until then, scientists believed no frogs lived above 3,000 meters in Africa.
The discovery was initially reported to the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and an expedition was launched to investigate further. Professor Alan Channing, an amphibian expert from the North-West University in South Africa, confirmed that no frog species had previously been found at such an altitude in Africa.
Between February 20 and 25, 2025, a research team explored the river systems on Mount Kilimanjaro between 3,500 and 4,000 meters (11,500-13,100 ft). The team successfully located the frogs, and obtained DNA samples for laboratory analysis. Testing conducted in South Africa revealed that the frogs belong to the Amietia wittei species, indicating that this frog can survive at elevations far higher than previously documented.
