The fever to photograph this frog is bringing it to the brink of extinction

The species, scientifically known as Melanobatrachus indicus, lives in humid evergreen forests between 900 and 1,200 meters of altitude. Its appearance—black body with light spots reminiscent of a starry sky—has made it a coveted lens for nature photographers.

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A study published in Herpetology Notes warns that these incursions have had direct consequences: an entire group of frogs disappeared after repeated human visits. Researchers attribute the loss to log removal, microhabitat trampling, and direct manipulation of animals to improve photo composition.

The monitoring, led by scientist Rajkumar KP, from the Zoological Society of London, documents that groups of up to six photographers moved natural shelters and exposed the frogs to stress, heat and flashes for hours, without biosafety protocols.

The authors warn that irresponsible photography alters the diet and reproduction of the species, already classified as threatened, and demand mandatory ethical standards. “Done well, photography can help conservation; poorly managed, it can push a species to disappear,” the study concludes.