Frog jumps from Jamaica to England

PORTSMOUTH, England, April 23 (UPI) -- A very rare tiny Caribbean frog is recovering in England after being trapped in a boatful of bananas from Jamaica, the BBC reported Friday.

Known scientifically as Osteopilus Fitzinger, the 1.5-inch West Indian tree frog is so rare, it doesn't have a common name. So rescuers at Portsmouth's Blue Reef Aquarium named the frog Lara, after West Indies Cricket team captain Brian Lara.

"Apparently a random pallet was chosen to check the quality of the consignment and, during the checking process, someone found the little frog clinging to a hand of bananas," said Portsmouth port health officer David Jones.

Although accustomed to tropical conditions, the little frog survived the 11-day, 4,000-mile journey.

"The hold was kept at a constant temperature of 57 degrees for the entire 11-day voyage," an aquarist said, adding the amphibian is now strong enough to eat on its own.