Professor Alan Channing: discovery of high-altitude frogs on Kilimanjaro and an exclusive interview

A previously unknown population of Amietia wittei frogs has been discovered on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, inhabiting elevations of up to 4,100 meters (13,450 feet) above sea level. The frogs were first spotted by the managers of Altezza Travel during a Kilimanjaro ascent in July 2024. Photos were sent to the Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) and Professor Alan Channing — a renowned herpetologist from South Africa and one of the world’s leading experts on frogs. 

This started preparations for an expedition, including obtaining the necessary permits for research within the national park and mapping out a route for the team of scientists.

By February 2025, everything was set. Channing arrived in Tanzania and, together with TAWIRI researchers, developed a detailed expedition plan. They then set off with a team of Altezza Travel guides to Kilimanjaro, following a route along the volcano’s western slope, crossing five rivers at altitudes of up to 4,100 meters (13,450 feet). The expedition lasted four days, during which scientists located the frogs in several areas and collected DNA samples. Meanwhile, we had the chance to get to know the world-renowned herpetologist better and talk to him about his career, scientific interests, climate change, and much more.

Interview with Prof. Alan Channing

– Tell us a little about yourself — about your family, your move to South Africa, and when your interest in amphibians began.

I was born into a middle-class family, with my father working in the telephone division of the Post Office. I think the family moved from England to South Africa to escape the cold and wet, and my father was able to continue his work in the South African Post Office.

I became interested in frogs while I was an undergraduate – they were largely unknown among my biology colleagues. One of the most important contemporary scientists specializing in frogs, John Charles Poynton, was a frequent visitor to the Zoology Department. Although frogs form part of herpetology that also includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and turtles, I have only a passing interest as a zoologist in those other groups.

– Many people may not fully understand what herpetologists do. Could you explain the essence of your work and why it is important?

My area of expertise concerns the relationships between animals, and the names that are applied to different species. This field (taxonomy) relies on studies of genetics, behaviour, ecology, and the body form of the animals being studied.

Many species are hard to recognise as distinct – these are called ‘cryptic.’Cryptic species are closely related species that are almost indistinguishable in appearance but exhibit significant genetic differences. If cryptic species are not recognised, they cannot be conserved, and any benefits they might have for human society would never happen.

– Open sources state that over your career, you have described more than 140 new species and genera of frogs. How accurate is this figure?

That number is not accurate – it is more like 54 species and genera, of which some have since been re-assigned.

– What moments in your career or discoveries do you consider the most significant?

My career consisted mostly of teaching undergraduates and guiding senior students. Research took place during university vacations, or during times when I had no teaching. As such, there were no pivotal moments. 

Taxonomy does not have ‘significant’ discoveries. Each step is like a brick, that will be placed to create a building. No one step is more important. However, It was always a high point to see a PhD student graduate and then go on to make his or her way in the world.

– What challenges do you face when searching for new species? Have you ever suspected the existence of an unknown species but been unable to find it?

The challenges are usually the difficulty of reaching the locality, if it is quite far, and in a desert, for example. Recent challenges include the steep prices for research permits in certain countries (luckily not all), as these officials believe that all foreign scientists are wealthy.

Many discoveries are made by chance – one cannot plan to go and find a new species! I have never suspected new species, but am sometimes surprised when one turns up. Even well-studied areas around Cape Town, for example, have provided many new species in the last few years.

– Are there any particular species, whether rare or recently discovered, that you find especially fascinating?

I always enjoy finding one of the wot-wotswot-wot – the commonly used name for the species Phlyctimantis keithae of the Hyperoliidae family, and also running frogs. They are easy to observe, and really interesting. Running frogs, as the name implies, do not hop or climb. They have spindly legs, and walk (or run).

– In recent decades, climate change has become one of the most pressing issues. You’ve had the rare opportunity to work both before and after its effects became widely recognized. From your perspective, how has global warming affected ecosystems, particularly amphibians? Have you observed any species declining at an alarming rate?

Although it is difficult to separate the effects of climate change from normal population variations, it is clear that many species, once common, are now difficult to find. The rate of decline in most frog species is unknown, because nobody is monitoring them. There are too few amphibian scientists. I am not aware of any frog species in Africa that have been lost. Usually, they have not been seen for a number of years because nobody has looked for them. How many people can recognise the species of a frog?

The biggest threat to amphibians is us humans – transforming natural vegetation into monoculture crops, and the ever-expanding cities. Species living in coastal areas are most at risk, as these are the places humans like to live in, and modify.

The large bullfrogs that occur in dry areas are very much affected, as they are over-harvested, resulting in breeding failures. Even where these frogs are protected by law, they continue to be collected, sold, and eaten. Southern Angola and northern Namibia are cases in point.

– The reason for our meeting is the discovery of Amietia wittei frogs, which are typically found in the tropical forests of Kilimanjaro and the Rwenzori Mountains at elevations no higher than 2,800 meters. What makes this discovery unique? What can it tell us about high-altitude ecosystems?

Frogs are able to live up to around 3000 m, where they are found in flowing streams. If these should freeze, the frogs have the ability to survive below the ice. But the discovery of frogs living at 4000 m indicates that they are much more capable of surviving in harsh conditions.

Not only do they have to face the extreme cold in winter, but they have to find food. This frog found at nearly 4000 m on Mt Kilimanjaro is successful (and we know it eats small beetles, amongst other things). How the beetles survive is another question.

– What other projects are you currently working on? Are there any other areas of science that interest you?

My other projects include a revision of bullfrogs across Africa, from Senegal to South Africa. Also, my colleagues and I are trying to sort out the number of species of dwarf toads, which all look similar, and which all live in semi-deserts or deserts.

I am interested in the biological history of Africa. When did the forests and grasslands form, and why? When did the various animal groups appear, and what drove differentiation and speciation?

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The Altezza Travel team extends its gratitude to Professor Alan Channing for his participation in this important scientific project, as well as for the warm and captivating evenings filled with stories about Africa’s wildlife.

Read more about the discovery of the new frog population and the scientific expedition in the article “Africa’s highest-altitude frog discovered on Mount Kilimanjaro”.

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