Frogs are standing on the brink of extinction

The frog foot trade for human consumption is pushing the animal to the brink of extinction, according to a new study by an international group of University of Adelaide researchers.

The researchers said the decline in the number of frogs is following the trail of over-fishing abuses and the worldwide decline in the 'chain reaction'.

Researchers have called for the issuance of mandatory certificates for frog exploitation to improve control and help develop reasonable exploitation strategies.

Ecology professor Corey Bradshaw of the University of Adelaide said frog frogs are not only a French delicacy.

European frog. The frog foot trade for human needs is pushing this animal to the brink of extinction. (Photo: Leo Bogert; Wikimedia Commons)

Professor Bradshaw, from the University of Adelaide's School of Earth and Environment Sciences, and researcher for the South Australian Institute of Research and Development (SARDI), said: 'Frog legs are on the menu of European school cafes, sales counters and dining tables across Asia, as well as luxury restaurants around the world. '

'Amphibious animals are the most seriously threatened animal group because of disease, habitat depletion and climate change - the taste for their feet does not help this situation.'

Global frog sales globally have risen for the last 20 years with the most 200 million or even 1 billion frogs consumed each year. Only a small part of this figure is shown in global trade statistics.

Indonesia is the largest frog exporter so far, and the domestic market is 2-7 times more than the export.

Professor Brasdhsaw emphasized: 'The global market has shifted from seasonal exploitation to local consumption to year-round international trade. However, the exploitation of frogs seems to have entered the trail of fishing abuses - the first collapse in Europe and North America and then a serious decline in India and Bangladesh. "

'The lack of data needed to control and manage exploitation is a major concern'.

The team includes researchers from Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada, Singapore National University and Harvard University.