Critically Endangered Lemur Leaf Frog at Shaldon Zoo in Devon

This amazing photo of the Lemur leaf frog looks more like a Pixar animation of the amphibian than the real thing.

But staff at Shaldon Zoo in South Devon are very pleased to see it after a successful breeding programme.

The creature, which is so small it could fit on the end of a finger, is Critically Endangered.

Education and Research Officer for the trust at Shaldon Zoo, Julie Matthews said the number of the tiny frogs has declined by over 80 per cent due to habitat loss and disease spreading fungus Chytridiomycosis.

She said: “We are extremely proud of this breeding success, these little frogs have specific husbandry needs so it is down to the skill set and diligence of our keepers that we have been successful in increasing our numbers of this species. The Lemur leaf frog is on the BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoo and Aquaria) top ten reptile and amphibian species reliant on zoos for their survival”.

For more information, visit: www.shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk