Seven threatened galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus) are gone from a research site in India’s Western Ghats after photographers seeking images of the rare, star-patterned amphibians destroyed their delicate forest floor habitat, according to a study published in Herpetology Notes. Researchers found the seven tiny frogs beneath rotting logs at the site in March 2020. Upon returning in August 2021, the team discovered that the 25 logs had been overturned, the surrounding vegetation was trampled, and all seven frogs were gone. An anonymous informant reported that multiple photographer groups had visited the site between June 2020 and April 2021. According to the informant’s account, photographers turned over logs to find the frogs, used high-intensity flash photography and handled multiple individuals without gloves — practices that can cause dehydration, stress and disease transmission. Groups of 4-6 photographers would each photograph the same individuals, with sessions lasting approximately four hours. The informant reported that two small frogs died during photography sessions, though researchers could not verify this claim. The galaxy frog measures just 2-3.5 centimeters (0.8-1.4 inches, about the size of a small coin) and lives only in the southern Western Ghats, where it nestles under logs and stones on the forest floor at elevations above 900 meters (2,953 feet). Galaxy frogs in the Western Ghats, India have been damaged by photographers who mishandle the frogs and their habitat. Photo by K.P. Rajkumar / ZSL “Named after their stunning resemblance to images of space, these beautiful yet rare frogs are unlike anything else…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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