Rare frog is a riveting discovery for Chorley youngster

A newly discovered species of frog may originate in the rainforests of Ecuador '“ but it can trace its name right back here to Lancashire.
Sylvia's Tree Frog was named after the granddaughter of the man who discovered itSylvia's Tree Frog was named after the granddaughter of the man who discovered it
Sylvia's Tree Frog was named after the granddaughter of the man who discovered it

Following a case of mistaken identity, the brightly coloured amphibian was hiding in plain sight for decades until it was spotted by Garstang conservationist Andrew Gray, inset.

Now, after 20 years of painstaking research, he has finally been able to identify the creature as a rare new species – one he has named after his three-year-old granddaughter Sylvia, who lives near Chorley.

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Mr Gray, who lived in Chorley for 15vyears before moving to Garstang, is the curator of herpetology at Manchester Museum.

Sylvia Gray, three, with the rare frog that was named after herSylvia Gray, three, with the rare frog that was named after her
Sylvia Gray, three, with the rare frog that was named after her

He said: “I spent many hours in Ashton Gardens in St Annes as a child, looking for frogs, newts and tadpoles, rather than playing football.

“I had all the other kids in the park looking for frogs.”

Now the 54-year-old former Highfield School pupil, who grew up in Blackpool, may have found a rather unusual way to inspire his granddaughter to take an interest too.

He said Sylvia was “thrilled” to learn the frog was named after her.

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Mr Gray added: “She’s only young but she absolutely loves the frog.”

He said the new species – Sylvia’s Tree Frog – has been known to scientists for almost 100 years but until recently had been confused for another. But once he realised the error, he set about putting the record straight.

“I’ve been back to Ecuador many times,” he said.

“It’s taken me 20 years to get a specimen. They are very hard to find.”