A billion frogs on world's plates, accelerating amphibian extinctions

Up to one billion frogs are taken from the wild for human consumption each year, according to a new study. Researchers arrived at this conclusion by analysing UN trade data, although they acknowledge there is a lot of uncertainty in the figure. France and the US are the two biggest importers, with significant consumption in several East Asian nations. About one-third of all amphibians are listed as threatened species, with habitat loss the biggest factor. But hunting is acknowledged as another important driver for some species, along with climate change, pollution and disease – notably the fungal condition chytridiomycosis which has brought rapid extinctions to some amphibians. … "Frogs legs are on the menu at school cafeterias in Europe, market stalls and dinner tables across Asia to high end restaurants throughout the world," said Corey Bradshaw from Adelaide University in Australia. "Amphibians are already the most threatened animal group yet assessed because of disease, habitat loss and climate change – man’s massive appetite for their legs is not helping." Exporting extinction Indonesia emerged from Professor Bradshaw’s analysis as both the largest exporter of frogs – 5,000 tonnes per year – and a major consumer. … "Harvesting seems to be following the same pattern for frogs as with marine fisheries – initial local collapses in Europe and North America, followed by population declines in India and Bangladesh and now potentially in Indonesia," said Professor Bradshaw.