Glauco Araújo from G1, in São Paulo

This species has a black body, with a red belly and legs. Known as the flamenguinho, it only exists in Itatiaia National Park, in Rio.

The flamingo toad has reddish legs and underside (Photo: Reproduction/Personal archive)\ The flamingo toad (Melanophryniscus moreirae) will be the symbol of Itatiaia National Park, in Rio de Janeiro, which turns 70 on June 14. The animal is only found in this region. The park area covers the highest part of the Mantiqueira Mountains, between the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo.\

According to biologist Pilar Guido de Castro, 36, the choice was made because the animal is unique to this region. "Until then, the park's symbol was a squirrel, also typical of the region, but not unique to the region. Unlike the frog, which is unique to this park." The biologist defended a master's thesis on the flamingo frog at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

Pilar stated that the flamingo frog was discovered by Miranda Ribeiro in 1920. "The scientist Werner Bokermann published a paper on the animal in 1967. After that, the frog was not studied and no one was interested in it anymore."

According to her, the frog got its nickname because of its predominant body colors. "The frog's belly and legs are red. Its back is black, with the possibility of small brown spots," Pilar said. The male reaches about 2,4 cm in length. The female is larger and can reach just over 3 cm.

Personal Archive\ Park is closed during the flamingo's breeding season (Photo: Reproduction/Personal Archive)\ Preservation\ The biologist stated that the animal is endemic to the Mantiqueira Mountains. "It lives in the rocky fields. It is native to the region, meaning it was not introduced there. The flamingo is only seen at altitudes above 2.400 meters," she said.\

According to Pilar, the flamingo toad is a rare animal that needs to be preserved. "It lives in a park that is extremely important to the country. In the past, cars driving through the park crushed the little toads. Today, during the breeding season in the summer, part of the park is closed to prevent their destruction. Since it only lives in this region, if not preserved, it could quickly become extinct."