Endangered 'galaxy frogs' have vanished, presumed dead, after photographers trespassed and allegedly destroyed their microhabitats for trips and shots.
Melanobatrachus indicus, the tiniest members of their family—about the size of a fingertip—live under logs in Kerala’s lush rainforest and are the sole species in their lineage. Their striking “starry” markings aren’t signs of poison; scientists believe they serve as a communication method, according to Rajkumar K P, a Zoological Society of London fellow and researcher.
In early 2020, Rajkumar located seven individuals of this remarkable species in India’s Western Ghats, but the Covid pandemic prevented follow-up visits. When he returned later, the frogs had vanished, the ZSL reported.
“The big, beautiful fallen log that was there had been broken and moved,” Rajkumar recalled. The surrounding vegetation had been trampled, and the frogs’ homes had been destroyed along with their numbers.
Initially, he suspected brown mongooses might have caused the disruption, but they aren’t strong enough to overturn a log. He then asked his tracker about people nearby.
A tracker revealed that a few photographers had been visiting the site—multiple small groups. Further inquiries with other trackers revealed more details.
According to these accounts, the nature photographers were flipping over logs in search of the endangered frogs. Once they located them, they would remove the animals and prop them up for photographs. They did not wear gloves, despite the frogs’ skin-breathing Sensitivity and fragility.
One tracker shared that two tiny galaxy frogs died after prolonged handling by photographers.
The photographer’s routine, as described, involved placing the frogs on new backgrounds or mossy logs to capture better shots, effectively moving them from their natural spots. On one day, five or six frogs were collected, and two died.
Repeated searches at the site in the ensuing months failed to locate any galaxy frogs. Rajkumar described feeling a sense of helplessness in confronting the injustice.
Forest officers often try to deter such groups, but some invoke higher-level protection or influence—politicians or judges—to gain access for photography.
“I fell in love with these frogs after seeing them. They look jet black at first, but under light you reveal countless stars—like galaxies scattered across their bodies. It’s pure magic.”
Dr. Benjamin Tapley, ZSL’s curator of reptiles and amphibians, suggested the galaxy frog represents an ancient, irreplaceable strand of life on Earth.
“I cringe every time I see a galaxy frog photo on my feed,” Tapley admitted. “I wonder what happened, how that picture was taken, and what impact the habitat suffered.”
The scientists expressed cautious optimism that increased ethical awareness could help ensure these extraordinary creatures survive for millions more years.
