Saving The Critically Endangered And Endemic Cave Squeaker Arthroleptis Troglodytes In Chimanimani Mountains KBA Zimbabwe

The Cave Squeaker (Arthroleptis troglodytes) is a critically endangered frog species endemic to the western slopes of the Chimanimani Mountains, at elevations around 1,500 meters. This region forms part of the Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot and is the only known habitat for the species.

First discovered in 1961, the initial specimens were deposited in the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe. In 1962, additional individuals were recorded in sinkholes, caves, and open montane grasslands. However, despite numerous surveys in the Chimanimani region over the following decades, the species went unrecorded until its remarkable rediscovery in 2017. Due to this prolonged absence, the Cave Squeaker had been classified as Possibly Extinct by the IUCN.

Knowledge of the species’ ecology, population status, and threats remains extremely limited. This project seeks to address those gaps by establishing the current conservation status of the Cave Squeaker and advancing research and protection efforts within its known range.

The project will focus on three core objectives:

• Determine current population size and distribution of the Cave Squeaker.
• Assess habitat conditions to inform and prioritize conservation interventions.
• Develop a species-specific conservation action plan, while fostering local engagement and raising awareness to support long-term conservation.

Expected outcomes include the publication of findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, a detailed distribution map of the species, and a comprehensive conservation action plan.