According to National Geographic, Toughie made it out of Panama, but it`s estimated that the chytrid fungus killed up to 85 percent of all amphibians left behind in his natural habitat.
He had lived in isolation at the Garden since 2008. A cause of death is unknown, but Toughie was believed to be at least 12 years old.
In his final years, Toughie became a "symbol of the extinction crisis." His photo was projected onto St. Peter`s Basilica, and he was visited by film directors and race car drivers.
"A lot of people were moved to tears when they saw him," a photographer who worked with Toughie says. "When you have the very last of something it`s a special deal.” While some scientists are holding out hope for the Rabbs` tree frog, it`s likely Toughie was the last, Scientific American reports. His species hasn`t been seen in the wild since 2007. It`s rare for humans to actually witness an extinction when it happens and not just learn about it years later.
More about:
