Bringing Back Panama's Golden Frog

Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki) recently released into the wild by the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation project (PARC). Credit: Ana Endara

"Extinct in the wild." Those three words are heartbreaking.

This beloved national symbol of Panama was last seen in the wild in 2009 that is, until researchers and conservationists released their first golden frogs this past February 2026. They had been successfully bred in captivity at the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Gold is a color coveted all over the planet and I believe this little frog wears it quite well. Using her striking luminous glow to warn predators rather than attract suitors, she secretes a poisonous neurotoxin from her cutaneous glands to cover its skin when stressed or threatened. This poison, when ingested by a predator causes rapid paralysis and cardiac arrest leading to a quick death.

It doesn't take much for a human to be killed by their toxin. Simply touching the frog won't kill you however, if you touch it, the frog secretes the venom onto your skin and then you touch a mucous membrane like your eyes, nose, or mouth. Sionara my friend.

That's natures way of saying look but don't touch. Which is a great rule when wandering through the jungle or any eco system really.

Waterfall in Cerro Hoyas National Park

The golden frog is endemic to Panama - once found near rivers and streams that flowed freely through the lush jungle landscapes of Panama like you see above in the Cerro Hoyas National Park. However, much like other disappearing species in Panama, habitat destruction has led to its disappearance. As if that wasn't bad enough, a wretched disease called chytridimycosis caused by an amphibian fungus called Batrachochutrium dendrobatidis sealed its status of extinction in the wild in 2009.

Though you won't find this beautiful creature on any of our guided waterfall hikes, you are likely to see one of its colorful relatives, the poison dart frog. If you're a frog lover or even if you're a ranidophobe, Morrillo Beach Eco Resort is a fascinating place to experience and we would love more than anything for you to stay with us so we can take you on some great adventures in nature.

Poison Dart Frog Dendrobates auratus on our waterfall hike

The return of this beautiful golden frog is going to take a lot of time and effort. The frogs face enormous challenges ahead and to lose this species would be devastating for the planet. Being an endemic species means once it's gone in Panama, it's gone forever. The scientists and dedicated conservationists are working tirelessly to release them back to nature, protect their habitat, and teach us all how we can protect their delicate ecosystems so that one day, our hikers might catch a glimpse of one of them on the trail.

With love from Panama,

Cari and Ryan Mackey

Owners & hosts