A group of endangered “galaxy frogs” has vanished and is presumed dead after photographers trespassed and reportedly damaged the frogs’ microhabitats while seeking shots.
Melanobatrachus indicus, each the size of a fingertip and the sole member of its family, lives under logs in the lush rainforests of Kerala, India. Their distinctive spots aren’t a sign of poison, as some believe; researchers, including Rajkumar K P of the Zoological Society of London, think the markings may serve as a form of communication.
In early 2020, Rajkumar located seven individuals of this extraordinary species in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India. He could not return during the Covid-19 pandemic, and when he eventually returned, the frogs had vanished, according to a report from the ZSL.
“The large, beautiful fallen log that was there had been broken and displaced,” Rajkumar recalled. The surrounding vegetation had been trampled, and the frogs’ homes had been destroyed, leaving them nowhere to be found.
Initially, he suspected brown mongooses, but they aren’t strong enough to overturn a log. He then spoke with his tracker to see if anyone had been seen nearby.
“There were a couple of photographers visiting the site. Several small groups. When I checked with my other trackers, they started revealing what had happened.”
According to the trackers, these nature photographers were digging through logs in search of the endangered species. When they located the frogs, they captured them and propped them up for photographs. They did not wear gloves, despite the fact that these delicate amphibians breathe through their skin and are highly sensitive to contact.
One tracker told Rajkumar that two tiny galaxy frogs died after prolonged handling by photographers.
“They would move the animal to a more photogenic background or moss-covered log to snap the shot, relocating it from place to place to maximize photos. On that day they collected five or six frogs, and two died.”
In the ensuing months, Rajkumar repeatedly searched the site but found no more galaxy frogs. He described feeling powerless in the face of such injustice.
“The forest department officers try to prevent these groups, but they rely on higher authorities—politicians, judges, or others—to grant access for photography,” he said.
“I fell in love with these frogs after seeing them. They appear jet black, but under light you can see countless stars—like galaxies scattered across their bodies. It’s nothing short of magical.”
Dr. Benjamin Tapley, ZSL’s curator of reptiles and amphibians, called the galaxy frogs an ancient, irreplaceable branch of life.
“I grimace every time I see a galaxy frog photo on my feed,” Tapley remarked. “I wonder what happened—how was that image captured, and what was the habitat’s fate?
“We remain hopeful that we can encourage people to act more ethically so that remarkable species like the galaxy frog can continue to thrive for millions more years.”
And this is where the conversation often diverges: should the allure of up-close wildlife photography justify risks to fragile ecosystems? How can enthusiasts enjoy nature photography without fueling harm? Share your thoughts in the comments: do stricter protections or responsible photography guidelines best safeguard vulnerable species like the galaxy frog?
