A chytrid fungus has erased amphibian populations worldwide. Some frogs recover anyway. Recent reporting (mid-July 2026 science digests) pointed at survivors building strong immune defenses while still tadpoles — a head start before the fungus hits adult skin.
That reframes “mysterious recovery” as developmental timing. The pond is a training ground. Miss the window and the adult stage is a massacre.
Green = immune readiness. Drag the slider of “tadpole training days.” More early training → greener adults.
Not every comeback story is a miracle. Sometimes it is just who got vaccinated by life earliest.