The estimate is derived from UN trade data, but the researchers from Adelaide University in Australia acknowledge considerable uncertainty in the consumption figure. Why it matters is because about 1/3 of all species of amphibians are threatened by extinction. France and the US are the two biggest importers of wild frogs, and frog legs are consumed heavily in several European and East Asian countries. Indonesia exports the most frogs, 5,000 tons per year, and is a major consumer. In addition to hunting for consumption and the pet trade, frogs are subject to climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and disease. Scientist worry that amphibians may soon suffer the same fate as global fisheries that have crashed after overfishing. Farmed frogs are not included in the analysis.
CONSEQUENCES
SCOTUS Poised to Handcuff the EPA
In the wake of reactionary rulings by the Supreme Court that seized a woman’s right to abortion after the Justices had unleashed potentially lethal freedoms to gun owners, one can only shudder at the prospect of the court’s upcoming decision on West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Abby Luby
June 27, 2022
