The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T5263A11121365
Conraua goliath, Giant Slippery Frog
Assessment by: Jean-Louis Amiet
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Jean-Louis Amiet. 2004. Conraua goliath. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004:
e.T5263A11121365. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Amphibia
Anura
Conrauidae
Taxon Name: Conraua goliath (Boulenger, 1906)
Synonym(s):
• Rana goliath Boulenger, 1906
Common Name(s):
• English:
Giant Slippery Frog, Goliath Frog
Taxonomic Source(s):
Frost, D.R. 2013. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 5.6 (9 January 2013).
Electronic Database. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. Available at:
http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.html.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Endangered A2d+3d ver 3.1
Year Published:
2004
Date Assessed:
April 30, 2004
Annotations:
Needs Updating
Justification:
Listed as Endangered because the number of mature individuals is believed to have declined by more
than 50% over the last three generations because of harvesting for food, and it is projected to decline by
a similar amount over the next three generations. A generation is assumed to be approximately five
years.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Vulnerable (VU)
1994 – Vulnerable (V)
1990 – Vulnerable (V)
1988 – Vulnerable (V)
1986 – Vulnerable (V)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
1
The world's largest frog is known only from south-western Cameroon from the region of Nkongsamba,
and south to Monte Alen in mainland Equatorial Guinea. It is generally found at low to medium
altitudes, below 1,000m asl.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Cameroon; Equatorial Guinea
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
2
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
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Population
It has decreased significantly as a result of harvesting for food.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
It lives in or near fast-flowing rivers and streams in rainforest, preferring warmer, slower rivers than
Conraua robusta, though faster rivers than C. crassipes. It can survive in secondary habitats close to
rivers, as well as in forest, but not in very heavily degraded areas (farm bush). Breeding occurs in
streams and small rivers. The young rest by flowing water during the day. Around Nkongsamba in
western Cameroon, C. goliath, C. crassipes and C. robusta occur sympatrically.
Systems: Terrestrial, Freshwater
Use and Trade (see Appendix for additional information)
This species is part of the Central African bushmeat trade, and one estimate states that 300 animals are
exported to the USA annually, mainly for frog-jumping competitions.
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The most important threat to this species is hunting for food, and new, sophisticated traps for catching
this species are now being used in the Nkongsamba area of Cameroon. Animals are also imported from
Cameroon to the USA on a regular basis by animal dealers for zoos, the pet trade and competitive frog
races (one estimate of this trade is 300 animals per year). It is also adversely affected by the loss of
forest habitat for agriculture, logging, and human settlements, as well as by sedimentation of its
breeding streams.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
It presumably occurs in several protected areas, and is confirmed from Monte Alen National Park in
Equatorial Guinea. Measures are needed to work with local communities to manage the harvest at
sustainable levels. A captive-breeding programme should be considered.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Jean-Louis Amiet
Reviewer(s):
Global Amphibian Assessment Coordinating Team (Simon Stuart, Janice Chanson
and Neil Cox)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
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Bibliography
Amiet, J.-L. 1972. Notes faunistiques, ethologistiques et ecologistiques sur quelques amphibiens anoures
du Cameroun. Annales de la Faculté des Sciences du Cameroun: 127-153.
Amiet, J.-L. 1975. Ecologie et distribution des amphibiens anoures de la region de Nkongsamba
(Cameroun). Annales de la Faculté des Sciences du Yaoundé: 33-107.
Amiet, J.-L. 1986. La Batrachofaune sylvicole d'un secteur forestier du Cameroun: la région de Yaounde.
Mémoires du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle: 29-42.
Amiet, J.-L. and Perret, J.-L. 1969. Contributions a la faune de la region de Yaounde (Cameroun). II Amphibiens Anoures. Annales de la Faculté des Sciences du Cameroun: 117-137.
De la Riva, I. 1994. Anfibios anuros del Parque Nacional de Monte Alen, Rio Muni, Guinea Ecuatorial.
Revista Espanola de Herpetologia: 123-139.
Gewalt, W. 1977. Einige Bemerken uber Fan, transport und Haltung des Goliathfrosches (Conrauna
goliath Boulenger). Der Zoologische Garten (N.F), Jena: 161-192.
Herrmann, H.-W., Böhme, W., Herrmann, P.A., Plath, M., Schmitz, A. and Solbach, M. 2005. African
Biodiversity Hotspots: the amphibians of Mt. Nlonako, Cameroon. Salamandra 41(1/2): 61-81.
IUCN. 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 23
November 2004.
Joger, U. 1982. Zur Herpetofaunistik Kameruns (II). Bonner Zoologische Beiträge 33: 313-342.
Lamotte, M. and Perret, J.-L. 1968. Revision du genre Conraua Nieden. Bulletin de l'Institution
Fondamental d'Afrique Noire: 1603-1644.
Lamotte, M., Perret, J.-L. and Dzieduszycka, S. 1959. Contribution a l'etude des batraciens de l'ouest
Africain. IX. Les formes larvaires de Petropedetes palmipes, Conraua goliath et Acanthixalus spinosus.
Bulletin de l'Institution Fondamental d'Afrique Noire: 762-776.
Lasso, C.A., Rial, A.I., Castroviejo, J. and de la Riva, I. 2002. Herpetofauna del Parque Nacional de Monte
Alen (Rio Muni, Guinea Ecuatorial). Graellsia: 21-34.
Pawley, R. 1987. The management of the goliath frog, Conraua goliath: a goliath problem? Bulletin of
the Chicago Herpetological Society: 96-97.
Perret, J.-L. 1957. Observations sur Rana goliath Boulenger. Bulletin de la Societe Neuchateloise des
Sciences Naturelles: 98-101.
Perret, J.-L. 1960. Etudes herpetologiques africaines II. Bulletin de la Societe Neuchateloise des Sciences
Naturelles: 93-100.
Perret, J.-L. 1966. Les Amphibiens du Cameroun. Zoologische Jahrbuecher fuer Systematik: 289-464.
Perret, J.-L. 1987. Observations on Rana goliath Boulenger. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological
Society: 98-101.
Perret, J.-L. and Mertens, R. 1957. Etude d'une collection herpetologique faite au Cameroun de 1952 a
1955. Bulletin de l'Institution Fondamental d'Afrique Noire: 548-601.
Sabater-Pi, J. 1962. La Rana goliath; aportacion a suestudio. Zoo, Revista del Parque de Barcelona: 2325.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
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Sabater-Pi, J. 1967. Notas sobre la ecologia de la rana gigante de Rio Muni (Conraua goliath, Boulenger).
Zoo, Revista del Parque de Barcelona: 24-25.
Sabater-Pi, J. 1985. Contribution to the biology of the giant frog (Conraua goliath, Boulenger). AmphibiaReptilia: 143-153.
Citation
Jean-Louis Amiet. 2004. Conraua goliath. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004:
e.T5263A11121365. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
6
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
-
Suitable
-
5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.1. Wetlands (inland) - Permanent
Rivers/Streams/Creeks (includes waterfalls)
-
Suitable
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.6. Artificial/Terrestrial - Subtropical/Tropical
Heavily Degraded Former Forest
-
Marginal
-
Use and Trade
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
End Use
Local
National
International
Food - human
Yes
Yes
No
Pets/display animals, horticulture
No
No
Yes
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
1. Residential & commercial development -> 1.1.
Housing & urban areas
Ongoing
-
-
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
Ongoing
-
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
-
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.2. Small-holder
farming
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is
the target)
5. Biological resource use -> 5.3. Logging & wood
harvesting -> 5.3.5. Motivation
Unknown/Unrecorded
9. Pollution -> 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents ->
9.3.2. Soil erosion, sedimentation
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
7
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Occur in at least one PA: Yes
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
3. Species management -> 3.1. Species management -> 3.1.1. Harvest management
3. Species management -> 3.1. Species management -> 3.1.2. Trade management
3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
6. Livelihood, economic & other incentives -> 6.1. Linked enterprises & livelihood alternatives
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
1. Research -> 1.6. Actions
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
8
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Conraua goliath – published in 2004.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T5263A11121365.en
9
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™