Why in news?
Galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus), rare amphibians endemic to India's Western Ghats, have recently made headlines due to conservation concerns. Recent reports highlight the disappearance of several individuals from a research site in Kerala, linked to habitat damage by photographers.​
About Galaxy frogs
- Appearance: Tiny (no bigger than a fingertip), with shiny black skin dotted with pale blue speckles resembling stars, and orange markings like supernova bursts.
- Habitat: Lives exclusively under rotting logs in the evergreen forests of Kerala’s Western Ghats.
- Uniqueness: It is the only member of its genus, making it evolutionarily distinct.
- Behavior: Prefers damp, humid environments and absorbs water and oxygen through its skin.
Conservation Challenges
- Photo Tourism Impact: Groups of photographers overturned logs, trampled vegetation, and used high-intensity flash photography, leading to the disappearance of seven documented frogs between 2020–2021.
- Threat Status: Researchers fear that the species is vanishing rapidly, with recent studies reporting local extinctions.
- Proposed Solutions: Conservationists recommend restricting animal handling, limiting artificial lighting, training guides in ethical practices, and imposing penalties for violations.
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