Galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus)

Galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus), among the world’s rarest and most visually striking amphibians, are facing a renewed threat in Kerala’s Western Ghats. A recent scientific study has reported that a group of seven galaxy frogs disappeared and are likely dead after repeated disturbances caused by wildlife photographers visiting their habitat.

Findings Published in International Journal
The findings were published on December 17, 2025, in the journal Herpetology Notes, in a report titled “Unethical wildlife photography imperils the Western Ghats endemic galaxy frog, Melanobatrachus indicus Beddome, 1878.”

Impact of Photography on Frog Behaviour
According to the study, multiple photographers repeatedly accessing the frogs’ microhabitat—under rotten logs in forested areas—led to significant disturbances. These disturbances are believed to have caused behavioural changes, potentially disrupting the frogs’ feeding, sheltering, and breeding success, ultimately leading to their disappearance.

A Highly Elusive and Endemic Species
First discovered in 1878, galaxy frogs are endemic to the Western Ghats and are notoriously difficult to locate due to their secretive lifestyle. As a result, scientific knowledge about their ecology and population dynamics remains limited.

Conservation Status and Existing Vulnerability
The species is already listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, making it particularly susceptible to additional pressures such as habitat disturbance and human interference.

Call for Ethical Wildlife Photography
The study strongly emphasised the need to establish and enforce ethical standards in nature and conservation photography. Researchers warned that irresponsible practices, even when driven by conservation awareness or artistic intent, can have severe and irreversible consequences for sensitive species.