WELLINGTON, Aug, 23 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's native frog species remain in trouble, according to the latest report on the conservation status of New Zealand's amphibian species on Thursday.
New Zealand's three native frog species are different to frogs anywhere else in the world, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said in a statement.
"New Zealand's frogs have barely changed in 70 million years. They don't croak like most frogs, they hatch as froglets, almost fully formed frogs, rather than tadpoles, and their pupils are round rather than slit-shaped. The male Archey's frog carries his offspring on his back," Sage said.
As with other native species, predators and habitat loss are threatening frogs with extinction. Current conservation efforts are helping these unique species. While the status of two frogs has improved, these improvements reflect better information rather than a noticeable improvement in numbers, she said.
"Our frogs are just hanging on, there's no doubt they're still in grave danger," the minister said.
