Researchers have discovered Africa’s highest-living frog species on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The amphibians were found at an elevation of nearly 4000 meters on the slopes of Africa’s highest peak.
The encounter, made by a team of scientists in an entourage led by a Moshi-based tour company, is now opening new doors on studies regarding what can or can’t survive on Africa’s highest peak.
The discovery was reportedly made during a climb in June 2024.
This unearthing 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 could survive anywhere above 3,000 meters in Africa.
The discovery was initially reported to the Arusha-based Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), and after that, a full expedition was launched to investigate the fact 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.
That therefore makes the strange Mount Kilimanjaro amphibian to set a world record cutting across Flora, Fauna and Ecology.
Between February 20 and 25, 2025, a research team explored the river systems on Mount Kilimanjaro between 3,500 and 4,000 meters, or up to 13,100 feet.
The team successfully located the river frogs and obtained DNA samples for laboratory analysis.
The testing was conducted in South Africa and revealed that the frogs belong to the Amietia wittei species, indicating that this frog can survive at elevations far higher than previously documented.
Amietia wittei is a locally common species inhabiting montane grasslands at elevations of 1,100–3,300 m (3,600–10,800 ft) above sea level
Scientists have however raised concerns about potential threats to the frogs’ survival, including water contamination from dishwashing chemicals used by Kilimanjaro porters, reduced water availability due to climate change, and predation by birds.
They suggested that additional research will be needed to understand these factors’ impact and inform conservation efforts.
According to researchers, this discovery highlights the importance of Kilimanjaro’s fragile ecosystem and the need for responsible environmental management.
The scientists hope that the study will contribute to broader conservation strategies for the East African region.
Apparently, during the trip, members of the researching team speculated that these frogs might live even higher, but the absence of rivers above 4,050 meters likely limits the amphibian habitat.
Amphibians, such as frogs, toads, and salamanders, are cold-blooded vertebrates that are distinguished by their life cycle of an aquatic larval stage followed by a terrestrial adult stage.