The dark side of the spotlight What happens when admiration disrupts survivalUnder the lens: When photography becomes a conservation threat

May 15
2 min read

This article appeared in the fifth edition of ThisWildEarth. Find more content like this by exploring our other publications here.

Deep within India’s forests in the Western Ghats lives a small amphibian that depends on highly specific microhabitats to survive. The galaxy frog (Melanobatrachus indicus), with its striking appearance, has become highly sought after by photographers. This popularity, however, has had measurable consequences.

A recent study published in Herpetology Notes documented the apparent disappearance of a small population of galaxy frogs from a known study site. When researchers returned to the area following a surge in photography visits, the frogs were no longer present, and key microhabitats had been compromised. The study linked the decline to repeated log overturning, trampling, and handling associated with unregulated photography activities.

These findings reflect the extreme sensitivity of the species’ habitat requirements. “Galaxy frogs live in unique pockets of small-scale habitats found across the forest floor,” explains Dr KP Rajkumar, wildlife biologist at the Care Earth Trust. “While the overturning of a log may feel small to us, for them it is the equivalent of an entire river drying up in the blink of an eye.”

Beneath fallen logs, stable microclimates form slowly over time, providing moisture, shelter, and protection from predators. When these structures are disrupted, frogs are abruptly exposed to heat, light, competitors, and predators.

Such fragile systems are particularly vulnerable when disturbance becomes repetitive rather than incidental. As cameras and smartphones have become more accessible, photography has developed into a mass pastime, bringing increasing numbers of people into sensitive environments.

“Photos have the power to help protect wildlife,” says Rajkumar. “Some photographers are motivated by fame and recognition, rather than by conservation concerns.”

Beyond physical habitat damage, repeated human presence can also alter animal behaviour. Rajkumar notes that disturbances such as camera shutter sounds may trigger responses similar to those caused by predators. Human activity can disrupt feeding and breeding, reduce reproductive success, and ultimately push species to abandon habitats altogether.

“If such pressures continue across multiple locations and populations decline further, the species could be up-listed to Endangered,” he warns.

Solutions, however, are within reach. Rajkumar emphasises the importance of ethical field guidelines, strict biosecurity protocols, and regulating photography tours in sensitive habitats. Training local community members, whose livelihoods are closely tied to forest health, could also offer a viable solution, balancing conservation with sustainable economic opportunities.