China: Smart Toad Sets Sail On Makeshift Raft During Torrential Rain In Guangxi

On June 19, 2024, Guilin, Guangxi, experienced severe torrential rain, leading to deep, muddy waters flooding the streets and houses of the residents. Amidst this deluge, an unusual sight emerged: a toad was spotted surfing on a small wooden plank and using it as a raft to navigate the flooded waters. This resourceful amphibian, appearing quite discerning in its mode of transport, calmly floated away from the inundated area.

Lissotriton vulgaris

Lissotriton vulgaris

14.05.2024, Tallinn. Lissotriton vulgaris is a lizard-like amphibian. It belongs to category III of protected species (includes species, which are still common, but their population may decline critically if the risk factors continue to exist). Photo Tairo Lutter, Postimees

Lissotriton vulgaris

Lissotriton vulgaris

14.05.2024, Tallinn. Lissotriton vulgaris is a lizard-like amphibian. It belongs to category III of protected species (includes species, which are still common, but their population may decline critically if the risk factors continue to exist). Photo Tairo Lutter, Postimees

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

01.04.2024. Viljandi. All amphibian species are under protection in Estonia, and are classified in the national Red Data Book as one of the most endangered animal groups. Migration of toads. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

01.04.2024. Viljandi. All amphibian species are under protection in Estonia, and are classified in the national Red Data Book as one of the most endangered animal groups. Migration of toads. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

01.04.2024. Viljandi. All amphibian species are under protection in Estonia, and are classified in the national Red Data Book as one of the most endangered animal groups. Migration of toads. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

01.04.2024. Viljandi. All amphibian species are under protection in Estonia, and are classified in the national Red Data Book as one of the most endangered animal groups. Migration of toads. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

Ensuring a safe migration route for amphibians

01.04.2024. Viljandi. All amphibian species are under protection in Estonia, and are classified in the national Red Data Book as one of the most endangered animal groups. Migration of toads. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

New museum of axolotl highlights value of emblematic amphibian of Mexico

STORY: New museum of axolotl highlights value of emblematic amphibian of Mexico DATELINE: Feb. 10, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:52 LOCATION: Mexico City CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Chapultepec Zoo 2. various of axolotl 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): FERNANDO GUAL, General director of Zoos and Wildlife Conservation in Mexico City 4. various of axolotl 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Spanish): FERNANDO GUAL, General director of Zoos and Wildlife Conservation in Mexico City 6. various of Chapultepec Zoo STORYLINE: The Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City has recently demonstrated an enclosure highlighting the cultural and ecological value of axolotl, an emblematic amphibian that is endemic in the Lacustrian region of the Mexican basin. Under the name "Museum of Axolotl and Conservation Center for Amphibians," the space allows visitors to learn more about a species in danger of extinction that still presents many mysteries to science due to its attributes and faculties. SOUNDBITE 1 (Spanish): FERNANDO GUAL, General director of Zoo

Concerted efforts restore Xinjiang salamander from brink of extinction

STORY: Concerted efforts restore Xinjiang salamander from brink of extinction DATELINE: Aug. 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:43 LOCATION: URUMQI, China CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: various of the nature reserve in Xinjiang's Wenquan Countyvarious of ranodon sibiricusvarious of Xinjiang salamander scientific research and education centervarious of people visiting the research center and observe the amphibians closely STORYLINE: The population of critically endangered ranodon sibiricus in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has recorded a steady increase in recent years, thanks to conservation efforts such as artificial breeding and strengthened monitoring and patrol. According to a nature reserve in Xinjiang's Wenquan County, the major habitat of the species, the population of the primitive amphibian with an evolutionary history dating back to the age of dinosaurs has risen from around 1,700 in 2015 to over 3,000 to date. The species, also known as Xinjiang salamander, was discovered in the count

Ex-Fuji Heavy execs get suspended terms for bribing lawmaker

Ex-Fuji Heavy execs get suspended terms for bribing lawmaker

TOKYO, Japan - Isamu Kawai (L in file photo), former chairman of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., is given an 18-month jail term suspended for three years by the Tokyo District Court on July 3 for bribing a lawmaker in 1996 over a project to develop an amphibian plane for the Maritime Self-Defense Force. Yasuyuki Kogure (R in file photo), Fuji Heavy's former managing director, was also given a 14-month prison term suspended for three years on the same charges.

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

This photo shows the Shan Crocodile Newt, a species discovered by a team of Japanese and Chinese scientists. The new species is increasingly under threat from habitat loss and collection for use in Chinese traditional medicine. Photo taken on Dec. 14, 2014 in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, Myanmar. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

This photo shows a local resident of Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, Myanmar, examining a Shan Crocodile Newt. The species discovered by a team of Japanese and Chinese scientists is increasingly under threat from habitat loss and collection for use in Chinese traditional medicine. Photo taken on Dec. 14, 2014 in Taunggyi. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

This photo shows the Shan Crocodile Newt, a species discovered by a team of Japanese and Chinese scientists. The new species is increasingly under threat from habitat loss and collection for use in Chinese traditional medicine. Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2014 in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, Myanmar. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

This photo shows the Shan Crocodile Newt, a species discovered by a team of Japanese and Chinese scientists. The new species is increasingly under threat from habitat loss and collection for use in Chinese traditional medicine. Photo taken on Dec. 14, 2014 in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, Myanmar. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

This photo shows a breeding habitat of a newly discovered crocodile newt. Such habitats are increasingly threatened by development. Photo taken on Dec. 14, 2014 in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, Myanmar. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

Amphibian discovery illuminates Myanmar's "hidden biodiversity"

This photo shows the Shan Crocodile Newt, a species discovered by a team of Japanese and Chinese scientists. The new species is increasingly under threat from habitat loss and collection for use in Chinese traditional medicine. Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2014 in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, Myanmar. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

mating Common European Toads

mating Common European Toads

A pair of mating Common European Toads (Bufo bufo) in Petrin park, Prague, Czech Republic, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The male is firmly pressed against the back of a female. The heads visible over the the water are reflected on the surface. (CTK Photo/Martin Sterba)

mating Common European Toads

mating Common European Toads

A pair of mating Common European Toads (Bufo bufo) in Petrin park, Prague, Czech Republic, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The male is firmly pressed against the back of a female. The heads visible over the the water are reflected on the surface. (CTK Photo/Martin Sterba)

Edible frog, water, mirroring

Edible frog, water, mirroring

Frog - green edible frog above the surface of an old flooded sand pit. His head and eye are clearly reflected on the surface. (CTK Photo/Roman Krompolc)

Mating toads

Mating toads

A pair of mating toads (Bufo bufo) in pond water. The male is firmly pressed against the back of a female. Roe around. (CTK Photo/Roman Krompolc)

Mating toads

Mating toads

A pair of mating toads (Bufo bufo) in pond water. The male is firmly pressed against the back of a female. The heads visible over the the water are reflected on the surface. (CTK Photo/Roman Krompolc)

Giant salamanders in breeding period

Giant salamanders in breeding period

Photo taken Sept. 4, 2017, in a river in the central Japan city of Mino shows a giant salamander, the biggest amphibian in the world. The giant salamanders there are now in their breeding season. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Giant salamanders in breeding period

Giant salamanders in breeding period

Photo taken Sept. 4, 2017, in a river in the central Japan city of Mino shows a giant salamander, the biggest amphibian in the world. The giant salamanders there are now in their breeding season. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo