Meet the giant Caribbean frog that tastes like chicken

In the misty and lush forests of Dominica and Montserrat, there's an unusual amphibian that blends right in. Locals call it the ‘mountain chicken,’ but don't let the name fool you - it's not a bird. Instead, this hefty frog, scientifically labelled Leptodactylus fallax, tells a tale tied to Caribbean cooking. Once a popular dish, its taste is said to resemble that of chicken. Yet, it's more than just about flavour for this creature. Now critically endangered, it faces a major threat from chytrid fungus. Scientists are in a race against time to protect one of the Caribbean’s most intriguing yet misunderstood animals from disappearing entirely. Survival of this unique species remains a conservation priority, symbolising the delicate balance between cultural heritage and ecological preservationAccording to a report by IUCN, the ‘mountain chicken,’ the biggest native amphibian in the Caribbean, once held cultural significance in Dominica and Montserrat. Its name comes from its enormous size, as it can grow to over 21 centimetres long and weigh more than 1 kilogram. People say the meat tastes just like chicken. For many years, folks considered it a delicacy, and it was even known as the national dish of Dominica, but things took a turn. Overhunting for food, losing habitats, and invasive predators led to a steady decline in their numbers. Eventually, governments had to step in with strict hunting bans to save the few that were left in the wild. When the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis showed up, the species encountered a severe crisis. This silent killer hit Dominica in 2002, leading to an 85 per cent drop in numbers in just a year and a half. By 2009, it also appeared on Montserrat. The fungus targets the frog’s skin, essential for breathing and maintaining electrolyte levels, which can result in heart failure. As noted in a journal of the British Herpetological Society, before this disease outbreak, the species was only found on two islands. However, because of the rapid decline caused by the disease, the mountain chicken was classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.Leptodactylus fallax, commonly known as the mountain chicken, stands out because of its unique and uncommon breeding method. Most frogs usually lay eggs in water, but this species does something different. It breeds in underground burrows and makes foam nests on land. The female constructs a foam nest to safeguard her 30-50 eggs; her level of care is impressive. She stays in the burrow to guard her offspring and feeds them unfertilized eggs, known as ‘trophic eggs,’ which serve as their main food supply, as noted in the journal of the British Herpetological Society. This distinctive way of raising young ties the mountain chicken closely to particular habitats. Consequently, they face increased risks from changes in their environment and climate shifts.To stop the complete extinction of the species, an international group started the Mountain Chicken Recovery Programme. They set up ‘safety net’ populations in zoos across Europe and a special breeding centre in Dominica. One big hurdle these places face is the ‘live food’ issue; scientists need to grow local insects themselves to prevent new species that could damage the island’s ecosystem from getting in. Meanwhile, recent efforts have leaned towards using advanced reproductive technologies and biobanking methods. These approaches aim at keeping genetic diversity intact. As for field research, some are looking into solar-heated ponds as possible environmental refuges. In these ponds, water stays warm enough to kill harmful fungus while remaining safe for frogs.