Mangalore/Belthangady, Jul 11: Even as the hunting and collecting of bull frogs in the neighbouring state of Goa comes across as strange or bizarre to the people in Karnataka, more shocking is the low-profile and illegal sale of frogs through the black market in Dakshina Kannada!
Bull frog legs are considered a prized delicacy in Goa, and during heavy rains villagers would often collect in large sacks.
In a similar fashion, a network of illegal sale of frogs came to light, wherein frogs were collected from various parts of Belthangady taluk and sent to selected hotels by pre-arrangement.
It is learnt that large-sized frogs are picked up from paddy fields in Neriya, Thotattadi, Chibidre, Puduvettu and Charmadi areas during the monsoons and sold in nearby areas as well as in Bangalore for a good sum of money.
A large-sized frog can fetch as much as Rs 250 –Rs 300 in the black market in Bangalore. Depending upon one's needs, these frogs are sold to be used in medicines for asthma, while some are even sold to local Chinese hotels to be used in preparing dishes.
It is alarming to note the harvesting of bull frogs, especially during their breeding season when their loud calls make them an easy target. Unless the frog-harvesting is banned, this could lead to a drastic drop in frog species over the next few years and create a negative ripple effect in the ecosystem.
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