Why did the galaxy frogs disappear from Kerala's Western Ghats?

The galaxy frogs likely disappeared due to severe habitat disturbance caused by photographers seeking to capture images of the rare species.

What are the main threats to the galaxy frog?

The galaxy frog faces threats from habitat loss due to land conversion, firewood collection, landslides, and increasingly, from unethical wildlife photography practices.

What ethical guidelines are needed for wildlife photography in the Western Ghats?

Ethical guidelines should restrict capturing, handling, and chasing animals, limit intense lighting, and prevent disturbance to sensitive microhabitats.

Home / Environment / Starry Frogs Vanish: Wildlife Photography's Dark Side

Starry Frogs Vanish: Wildlife Photography's Dark Side

3 Jan

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Summary

Seven rare galaxy frogs disappeared after photographers disturbed their habitat.
Unethical photography practices led to habitat disruption and potential frog deaths.
The species is already vulnerable, facing threats from habitat loss and now photo tourism.

Starry Frogs Vanish: Wildlife Photography's Dark Side

A study published in Herpetology Notes reveals the alarming disappearance of seven rare galaxy frogs from their exclusive habitat in Kerala's Western Ghats. These tiny amphibians, resembling the night sky with their speckles, are believed to be dead after extensive disturbance by wildlife photographers between June 2020 and April 2021. Photographers, seeking 'picturesque backdrops', dislocated their microhabitat and handled the frogs extensively, potentially exposing them to fatal consequences.

The galaxy frog (Melanobatrachus indicus), discovered in 1878, is already classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. Major threats include habitat conversion and landslides. However, unethical photography has emerged as a significant new danger, especially since the species became the flagship for Mathikettan Shola National Park in 2021. The study highlights how photographers' actions, including dislodging logs and prolonged use of high-powered flashes, drastically altered the frogs' delicate environment.