Jackson’s Climbing Salamander Rediscovered After 42 Years

Local conservation efforts illuminate the hope that habitat protection can foster.

By Medha deb

Created on Aug 29, 2025

Local conservation efforts illuminate the hope that habitat protection can foster.

Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander: Rediscovery of Guatemalaâs Golden Wonder

For more than four decades, Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander (Bolitoglossa jacksoni) was known only through legend and scientific description, feared extinct since its original discovery in 1975. In a dramatic turn, conservationists recently celebrated its extraordinary rediscovery in Guatemalaâs highland forests, a moment hailed as a beacon of hope for threatened and ‘lost’ species worldwide.

Category: In the Wild

The Original ‘Golden Wonder’: A Brief History

Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander is also affectionately known as the golden wonder due to its eye-catching yellow coloration. First encountered by biologists in 1975 among the mossy forests of Guatemalaâs Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, just two specimens were documented before the amphibian vanished from scientific observation. For 42 years, no confirmed sighting was reported, and scientists grew increasingly concerned about its fate in the face of rampant deforestation and habitat transformation in the region.

Common Name: Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander
Scientific Name: Bolitoglossa jacksoni
Habitat: Cloud forests of the Cuchumatanes Mountains, Western Guatemala
Last Official Sighting Before Rediscovery: 1975
Main Threats: Habitat loss, deforestation, climate change

The Search for Lost Species: Global Context and Local Action

As part of a larger global initiative, the Search for Lost Species campaignâorganised by Global Wildlife Conservation, Rainforest Trust, and other partnersâdesignated Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander among its âmost wantedâ lost species, focusing efforts and raising awareness for creatures lost to science but not declared extinct. The groupâs broader aim is to fuel hope for biodiversity recovery by finding and protecting these elusive animals before itâs too late.

In 2015, a consortium of conservation organizations established the Finca San Isidro Amphibian Reserve specifically to shelter amphibians endemic to the region, including the salamander. Rangers, scientists, and local NGOs worked together on monitoring, habitat restoration, and training to improve the odds of rediscovery and long-term protection.

The Chance Encounter: How Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander Was Rediscovered

The decades-long search ended in October 2017 when Ramos LeÃ³n-TomÃ¡sâa 27-year-old guard at Finca San Isidroâspotted a juvenile salamander while enjoying his lunch break at the edge of the reserve. The sighting occurred nearly 1,000 feet higher in elevation than earlier searches had targeted, underlining the complexity of the salamanderâs habitat preferences and the value of on-the-ground local expertise.

LeÃ³n-TomÃ¡s, already familiar with the salamanderâs description thanks to regular training and visual aids provided by amphibian experts, acted quickly. He photographed the salamander and immediately shared the images with Dr. Carlos Vasquez, curator of herpetology at Guatemalaâs Universidad de San Carlos and coordinator for local NGO FUNDAECO. Vasquez, who had personally made ~30 unsuccessful expeditions in search of the species since 2005, promptly confirmed the identity of the long-lost amphibian.

Who: Ramos LeÃ³n-TomÃ¡s, reserve guard and local conservationist
Where: Edge of Finca San Isidro Amphibian Reserve, Cuchumatanes Mountains
When: October 2017 (over 42 years since last seen)
What: Juvenile Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander, third individual ever recorded

Key Figures in the Rediscovery

Name	Role	Contribution
Ramos LeÃ³n-TomÃ¡s	Reserve Guard	Made the rediscovery, photographed salamander
Dr. Carlos Vasquez	Curator of Herpetology, USAC & FUNDAECO	Confirmed species ID, led training/workshops
Don Church	President, Global Wildlife Conservation	Led global campaign, promoted habitat protection
Paul Elias and Jeremy Jackson	Original Discoverers	Described the species in 1975

Celebration and Global Conservation Impact

The rediscovery sent waves of excitement through the international conservation community. To those who had devoted careers to the quest, it was more than a scientific milestoneâit provided proof that protecting wild places gives lost species a fighting chance to survive even against long odds.

Lindsay Renick Mayer of Global Wildlife Conservation captured the mood: âThe night I got the news from Carlos that Bolitoglossa jacksoni had been rediscovered, I flew off the couch where Iâd been falling asleep, let loose a string of expletives (in a good way), and did a little happy dance.â

Jeremy Jackson, original discoverer, expressed joy at the protective role the reserve played: âIâm more than delighted that Yal Unin Yu Witz exists so that Jacksoni and other wonders can survive, and Iâm so pleased to hear that it was a guard protecting the preserve who found this beauty.â

Why Rediscovering Lost Species Matters

This single rediscovery demonstrates that with persistent effort and habitat protection, hope remains for seemingly lost and critically endangered animals. It also:

Draws international attention and funding to critical habitats
Boosts morale among local conservationists and communities
Provides fresh genetic and ecological data for scientific study
Sparks renewed efforts to find and protect other elusive species

As Don Church of Global Wildlife Conservation framed it: âProtecting habitat gives species a fighting chance. This rediscovery can only be a good omen for the future of the Search for Lost Species campaign.â

Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander: Species Overview

Appearance: Notable for bright yellow coloration and slender body, resembling a “golden wonder” among the moss.
Habitat: Moist, montane forests, usually found under bark or within moss mats in highland areas.
Range: Restricted to small areas within the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes of Guatemala.
Behavior: Arboreal and secretive; little is known about its life cycle because of its rarity.
Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List), with extreme vulnerability due to habitat specificity and limited distribution.

How Habitat Protection Enabled the Rediscovery

The establishment of Finca San Isidro Amphibian Reserve proved critical. Proactive conservationârather than waiting for a rediscoveryâensured the survival of this and other amphibians native to the cloud forests. The reserve now stands as a model for targeted conservation, combining scientific research, community stewardship, and education to achieve success.

Protected 900+ acres of high-elevation forest
Created jobs and training for local guards and naturalists
Enabled systematic monitoring and quick response to rediscoveries

Lessons for the Future: Conserving Lost Species Elsewhere

Jacksonâs Climbing Salamanderâs story shows the global conservation community that species on âlostâ lists may yet survive if their habitats are preserved. The efforts in Guatemala echo around the world, as dedicated âlost speciesâ campaigns intensify searches for other animals that have vanished from scientific view. The combination of reserve creation, local training, and international awareness-raising provides a model for success in biodiversity conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander and why is it special?

A: Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander (Bolitoglossa jacksoni) is a brilliantly yellow, arboreal salamander native to the cloud forests of Guatemala. It is highly significant due to its rarity, unique coloration, and status as a âlost speciesâânot seen for 42 years until its recent rediscovery.

Q: Where was the salamander rediscovered?

A: It was found in the Finca San Isidro Amphibian Reserve in Guatemalaâs Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, within protected high-mountain rainforest habitat established explicitly for amphibian conservation.

Q: Why did it take so long to find this species again?

A: Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander is extremely elusive, inhabiting remote, dense cloud forests at high elevations and likely existing only in small, scattered populations. Decades of habitat loss and its cryptic behavior compounded the difficulty of locating individuals.

Q: What conservation lessons does this rediscovery offer?

A: Protecting habitat ahead of rediscovery was crucial. The creation of reserves in biodiversity hotspots, coupled with community training and scientific partnership, allowed the species to survive undetected and be found again.

Q: Are there other ‘lost species’ that might be rediscovered?

A: Yes. Inspired by the Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander, the Search for Lost Species initiative has seen the rediscovery of several other most-wanted lost animals around the globe, and it continues to guide searches and global conservation priorities.

How to Support Lost Species and Conservation Efforts

Support organizations like Global Wildlife Conservation and Rainforest Trust
Promote and advocate for habitat protection in biodiversity hotspots
Learn about âlost speciesâ and share their stories to increase awareness
Encourage responsible ecotourism and local conservation initiatives

Conclusion: Hope for the Golden Wonder and Beyond

The rediscovery of Jacksonâs Climbing Salamander stands as a resounding success for conservationists and a testament to the resilience of wildlife amidst adversity. It is also a powerful call to action: with coordinated effort, scientific rigor, and local involvement, even the rarest species have a chance to be found and protected.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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