News

In Dominica, New Hope for the Mountain Chicken

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - July 16, 2015

By the Caribbean Journal staff

There’s hope for the Mountain Chicken.

Numbers of the endangered Mountain Chicken frog that calls Dominica home are slowly recovering, according to the island’s government.

Amphibian Technician in Dominica’s Forestry Division, Machel Sulton says the Mountain Chicken, also known as the Crapaud, is slowly seeing a growth in numbers after the Chytridiomycosis fungus devastated the island’s Mountain Chicken population.

“Through intense fieldwork, we can confirm that we are finding new frogs never found before,” Sulton says. “From since the fungus was discovered on the island in 2002, we are now finding juvenile frogs which means that the population is now slowly recovering. Still it is too early to say that it is fully recovering but there are indicators saying that something is happening in the wild.”

The frog is one of four types of amphibians on the island; while it at one time thrived on other islands, it is now almost extinct.

It is one of Dominica’s national symbols and among the world’s largest frogs.

Before the devastation, the frog was in such large numbers that it was for a long time a popular local dish, noted for its “chicken-like” flavour.

“We can also say based on the study that there are frogs out there living with a low-level of the disease,” Sulton says. “This could be that they are developing some resistance. These are positive signs that the frogs are still out there and are trying to come back.”

Popular Posts riviera maya resort closing

Hyatt Is Closing This Riviera Maya Resort, With Plans for a Rebranding

Hyatt is closing one of its top luxury resorts in the Mexican Caribbean in a few months, with plans for a rebranding, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, one of a trio of properties in the […]


Frontier Airlines Is Adding Another New Nonstop Flight to the Dominican Republic’s Most Popular Destination: Punta Cana

punta cana golf dominican republic

The beaches, the all-inclusives, the nightclubs, the beach bars. Punta Cana is the spot when it comes to Dominican Republic travel, and now it’s getting another nonstop route from one of the fastest-growing airlines in the Caribbean.  Low-cost carrier Frontier […]


Travelers Keep Flocking to This Caribbean Island Famous for Beaches, Diving and a Colorful, Historic Capital 

curacao all-inclusive vacation

The colorful streets of Willemstad. The pristine, uncrowded beaches on the west coast. The party scene at Mambo. The floating bridge. Those Dutch Treat fries. The blissfully refreshing batidos. The unique, authentic hotels, from luxury resorts to dive spots.  Curacao […]


Related Posts the villa has a pool

How to Save on This St Thomas Villa With Views of the Island’s Most Famous Beach

It’s one of the best beaches, well, in the world; Magens Bay, that famous crescent of sugar-white sand in the heart of St Thomas.  But what if that was the view from your villa?  That’s what you get at the […]


This Turks and Caicos Resort Has Its Own Floating Bar on a Deserted Island 

ambergris cay

It’s a pilgrimage just about every guest at the Ambergris Cay resort makes at least once on their stay. You take a short ride on an ultra-luxe powerboat to a floating bar set off the coast of the nearby deserted […]


Bermuda’s New Airline Is Adding Three More Nonstop Routes 

bermuda st regis on the beach

Upstart carrier BermudAir is adding three new nonstop flights to the island of Bermuda, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The boutique carrier is set to launch new flights to Bermuda out of Richmond, Virginia, Providence and Montreal.  All three flights will […]