Imagine giving birth by vomiting. Sounds wild, right? Believe it or not, this is how the gastric-brooding frogs bring their little ones into the world. In a tale of nature's bizarre wonders, these frogs swallow their fertilized eggs, let them develop in their stomachs, and—wait for it—regurgitate fully-formed froglets!

Gastric-brooding frogs, named aptly for their unique birthing method, neutralize their stomach acids to create a makeshift womb, a feat that leaves scientists in awe. “No other living creature can do this,” says Michael Mahony, a biology professor at the University of Newcastle and leader of Project Lazarus. This extraordinary capability could pave the way for breakthroughs in understanding gastric secretions in humans.

Unfortunately, there are only two known species of these remarkable frogs: the southern gastric-brooding frog, which was tragically declared extinct by the 1980s, and the northern counterpart, which vanished shortly after its discovery in 1984. Both species succumbed to chytrid fungus, a deadly pathogen that has led to the extinction of numerous amphibians in Australia.

In response to this loss, scientists launched Project Lazarus, an ambitious initiative aiming to resurrect these frog species from extinction. Imagine the thrill of bringing back a creature that can literally “vomit” its babies! Using a frozen carcass, researchers tried to transfer intact DNA into a surrogate egg, and although initial results were promising, the embryos tragically failed to thrive. By 2013, the project was put on hold, leaving the future of the gastric-brooding frog uncertain.

But is this the end of the line? Not quite! De-extinction is an emerging frontier in science with potential to restore species lost to human impact. With innovations gearing towards a “de-extinction toolkit,” the hope remains alive for these and other threatened species.

So, will we one day see the return of the gastric-brooding frog? Wouldn't it be something to witness a frog that can regurgitate its young? Yes, it would be absolutely incredible! For a deeper dive into the science and ethics of de-extinction, check out our latest podcast episode featuring experts like Ben Lamb from Colossal Bioscience. Join us as we explore the possibilities of a future where extinction might not be permanent.