Kerala, 20th March 2025: Wildlife Trust of India’s (WTI) Amphibian Recovery Project team celebrated  World Frog Day at Mathikettan Shola National Park (MSNP), a protected area renowned for its flagship species, the galaxy frog (Melanobatrachus indicus)- named for its starry-speckled appearance. This species is a rare and evolutionary distinct amphibian, found only in a handful of high-elevation rainforests of the Southern Western Ghats. This frog represents a unique lineage with no close relatives, highlighting its exceptional evolutionary significance. Like other amphibians, the galaxy frog is highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations, particularly shifts in humidity, atmospheric temperature, and chemical contamination. Its occurrence in a region is a strong indicator of ecological health.

The team led the forest watchers on a field survey | Photo by Anuvrinda Sharma

To mark the occasion, WTI organised a hands-on training event aimed at empowering forest watchers in amphibian identification and herping. A total of twelve field watchers participated in the program, where amphibian experts Mr. Albin Thomas and Dr. Harikrishnan introduced them to the region’s rich biodiversity and high endemism of amphibians. Before heading into the field, participants were given an insightful session showcasing several endemic species found within MSNP.     

The field survey commenced after 6:00 PM to increase the chances of frog sightings. Despite it being an off-season for amphibian activity, the team successfully spotted over ten species in the vicinity. The watchers learned practical techniques for locating and identifying frogs using both visual markers and vocalisations. 

Galaxy frog | Photo by Renjith Hadlee                                                                    Star-eyed tree frog | Photo by Abhijith Vijay

 The primary goal of the event was to create interest and enhance the knowledge about endemic frog species among Forest Department watchers, who play a crucial role as the first line of protection for the park’s unique biodiversity.

The event aimed at creating interest and enhancing the knowledge about endemic frog species | Photo by Anuvrinda Sharma

The Amphibian Recovery Project is a focused conservation initiative led by WTI, aiming to safeguard and improve the conservation status of highly threatened and endemic amphibian species in the Munnar landscape of Kerala. The project focuses on five threatened amphibians aiming to understand their distribution, population status, and habitat requirements across different protected areas in the Munnar region. The project includes training programs for forest staff, nature guides, and students, as well as outreach campaigns to raise public awareness about the value of amphibians and the urgent need to protect them.  Through such initiatives, we continue to work towards the conservation of amphibians and their fragile ecosystems, ensuring that these fascinating creatures receive the attention and protection they deserve.