By OWEN PYE, Associated Press Writer
Thursday, March 4, 2010
(03-04) 05:37 PST SYDNEY, (AP) --
A species of frog thought to have been extinct for 30 years has been found in rural Australian farmland, officials said Thursday.
The rediscovery of the yellow-spotted bell frog is a reminder of the need to protect natural habitats so "future generations can enjoy the noise and color of our native animals," said Frank Sartor, minister for environment and climate change.
A fisheries conservation officer stumbled across one of the frogs in October 2008 while researching an endangered fish species in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales state.
The officer, Luke Pearce, told The Associated Press he had been walking along a stream trying to catch a southern pygmy perch when he spotted the frog next to the water.
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