Tree frog hitches lift in box (From Knutsford Guardian)

Tree frog hitches lift in box

8:50am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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AN EXOTIC tree frog has unintentionally given up its idyllic life in South America after hitching a lift to the UK in a heated box.

Florist Sue Vernon found the dark green frog clinging to a bird of paradise in the box, which had been delivered to her store in Middlewich by a Dutch wagon.

She suspected it was a Cuban tree frog but was told it was Columbian.

“Wherever he comes from, he’s well travelled,” she said.

She took it to a pet shop and staff there contacted Lower Moss Wood animal sanctuary in Ollerton.

“After living in Cuba I can’t imagine Middlewich is of the most exotic places on the planet for him to come to,” said warden Ray Jackson.

On Friday, though, the frog - nicknamed Pablo by staff - was happily munching its way through 20 crickets.

Its nearest neighbour - a British frog that had been mauled by a cat - was expected to be set free soon.

But while Pablo will remain at the sanctuary, at least it will no longer have to worry about the native aquatic snakes that would usually be out to eat it.

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