The search to find lost amphibians is on. The search to build a team is also on. Around 50 amphibian
species (including frogs and caecilians), described as recently as 18 years ago and as far back as 169
years, have eluded researchers in the field. These amphibians, which once lived in habitats throbbing
with life, can currently be seen only in the silent and sterile unchanging world inside spirit jars.
The question "Are they really extinct or have we not looked hard enough?" is a tantalising thought. A
search to answer this question is an adventure in field biology, which few of us can resist. The good
news is that the "Lost! Amphibians of India" programme is building the first list of people interested in
joining expeditions to search for lost amphibians. Finalists will be selected from this group for
participation after the launch.
If you are interested in inclusion on the list of potential people, or have any queries about the
programme, please email your name (as an individual or institution) to
The programme was formally launched in a function at University of Delhi on 2 November 2010.
