Hula Painted Frog

The Hula Painted Frog is a large frog with a short, round tongue, from which its Hebrew name is derived. This is an endemic species  that lives only in the Hula Valley in the north of the country and was rediscovered by chance in 2011. The species was not seen in nature from the year 1955 and was officially declared an extinct species in 1996 by the IUCN  (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

Today, it is in critical danger of extinction and its population is estimated at only a few hundred, all living in the area of the Hula Reserve. The Biblical Zoo is a leading partner in the extensive efforts to ensure its existence in nature. At the zoo, a breeding and conservation center was established, whose goal is to provide support for the population of the rare Hula Painted Frog, in order to collect information about it and provide backup in the event of damage to the population in the wild.

Together with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, we are studying the biology of the Hula Painted Frog, hoping to breed it in captivity and ensure its survival. Also, a beautiful display was set up where the Hula Painted Frog can be seen, with local vegetation from the Hula Valley and a pool providing the frog with a place of habitation and hiding. The display is located near the raptor incubation center, where you can also see a video on the subject.

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Photo: Ruth Cohen