At least 10,000 Titicaca water frogs, considered to be endangered species, have died in Peru. According to CNN, the giant frogs which weigh more than two pounds are under threat due to over-harvesting meant for consumption by human beings as well as destruction of their habitat.
These amphibians have layered skin folds and hence are funnily nicknamed as scrotum frogs. The authorities have admitted that their population has decreased all of a sudden.
An animal rights activist named Maruja Inquilla Sucasaca reported the deaths of these frogs to the Peruvian National Forest and Wildlife Service. During an investigation, it was found that the dead frogs were being eaten up by seagulls. The authorities suspect that more than 10,000 frogs have died around Lake Titicaca.
Also, large amount of solid wastes were also found during another investigation by the wildlife officials. Recently, residents of Coata River Basin held a protest wherein the remains of 100 water frogs were shown to the officials. The people have held sewage emanating from Juliaca town responsible for these deaths.
The Titicaca Water Frog bears a scientific name of Telmatobius culeus. It is mostly found in Lake Titicaca in South America. The animal was discovered in the early 1970’s by French explorer Jacques Cousteau.
