A small, dark amphibian sits half-hidden among reeds inside the amphibian exhibit at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. At first glance, it does not stand out.
Yet this is the Hula painted frog (Latonia nigriventer), a species once declared extinct and now the focus of one of the zoo’s most important conservation programs.
The frog was first described in 1940 near Lake Hula and last observed in 1955. After decades without sightings, it was officially declared extinct in 1996 — the first amphibian in the nation ever listed that way.
Then, in 2011, a single individual was rediscovered in the Hula Valley following years of wetland restoration.
Subsequent genetic and morphological research revealed that the species belongs to an ancient lineage once believed to have disappeared at the end of the last Ice Age.
Today, it survives in only a small number of wetlands, and the total wild population is estimated at just a few hundred individuals.
It is classified as Critically Endangered.
In response to its rediscovery, the Jerusalem Zoo partnered with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to establish a formal research and conservation initiative.
As stated in the official document:
“Building on a long-standing collaboration with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority and a proven track record in conservation initiatives, the Jerusalem Zoo was granted permission to initiate an ex situ research and conservation program for Latonia nigriventer.” The comeback of the Hula Painte…
A founding group of frogs was transferred to the zoo. Two dedicated facilities were created: a behind-the-scenes unit for egg incubation and larval rearing, and a public exhibit designed to raise awareness while respecting the frog’s secretive nature.
The program focuses on gathering essential biological information:
“The primary goal is to uncover key aspects of the species’ biology through controlled husbandry and monitoring, thereby providing essential data to support both ex situ breeding and in situ habitat protection.” The comeback of the Hula Painte…
Because the species had been absent for decades, basic details about its breeding cycle, development, and dietary needs were largely unknown. Research conducted at the zoo helps fill these gaps and supports habitat protection efforts in the Hula Valley.
Established in 1993 as a non-profit institution through a partnership between the Jerusalem Municipality, the Jerusalem Foundation, the Jerusalem Development Authority, and the Ministry of Tourism, the zoo was built as both a public space and a conservation center. The Hula painted frog program reflects that mission directly.
Visitors who enter the amphibian exhibit may not immediately recognize the importance of the small frog they see. The display is modest. Behind the scenes, however, ongoing research continues — steady, careful, and long-term.
The Jerusalem Zoo is currently the only zoo in the world to house this species and present its conservation story.
In a quiet corner of the zoo, work is underway to ensure that this time, the frog’s story does not end.
To learn more about the zoo’s conservation efforts click here.
Chester Moore
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