Malta’s only amphibian, the painted frog, will see its home – Wied Liemu in Rabat – revamped, after it has come to the attention of local environment agency Ambjent Malta that urbanisation has threatened the indigenous frog population.

The painted frog is definitely leaping for joy as Ambjent Malta is expected to carry out rehabilitation works by hand at the one-kilometre-long valley water channel. The manual removal of silt, the construction of arches using globigerina limestone, and the repair of channel walls will bring Wied Liemu back to its original state.

The channel is silted up leading to minor flooding which has resulted in soil loss from the nearby agricultural land. Most sections of the channel walls are damaged, while others have practically disappeared.

The painted frog inhabits several areas in the Med, but the species found locally is only present on our islands and in Sicily. Unfortunately, it’s showing a worrying decline. But hopefully, this rehab project will help the species thrive again. Fingers crossed!