Following hibernation, amphibians like frogs come out at the onset of the first monsoon shower to mate. The mating period is short lived, however, as the frogs become prey to predators like snakes, and even humans who poach them for meat.
This time of the year, Canacona is abuzz with humans hunting frogs, especially the bigger bull frogs. This illegal activity is rampant and frog hunters can be seen at night with high beam torches. Frogs are blinded easily by the torch light. No other bait is required to lure the amphibians out and hence it becomes easy for poachers to catch them with their bare hands. The frogs are then put into sacks and at home, their hind legs are chopped off for consumption.
Under the condition of anonymity, local environmentalists from Canacona said that the activity is rampant in places like Agonda, Patnem, Madditolop, Loliem, Karvem, Gaondongrem, Chaudi and other places where frogs surface.
Frog hunters usually have fixed territories. Last year however, it was observed that two groups at Madditolop and Loliem clashed with each other claiming rights over the zone.
Range forest officer, F John from Loliem said that the forest department personnel at Canacona are lax. Whenever an environmentalist reports the matter to them, they don’t visit the site and have yet to apprehend frog hunters, till date. Frog meat is sold at various restaurants across the taluka under the banner of ‘Mountain Chicken’ or ‘Jumping Chicken’.
“Frogs are no more a specialty for only Goans. Migrants too, have developed a taste for frog meat and large numbers of migrants are seen fishing in the lakes, ponds and wells of Canacona hunting for frogs,” said Manoj Naik, an environmentalist.
Some migrants temporarily settle down in Canacona during the rainy season just to catch frogs. According to reliable sources, it is learned that at least 60 or 70 frogs are being caught daily.
It may be recalled that ‘jumping chicken’ was temporarily stopped by the Canacona Range forest officer about four years ago by giving a strict written warning to certain restaurants. But despite that, the sale of frog legs hasn’t stopped in parts of Agonda and Palolem, informed sources.
Frogs are a protected animal under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Hence, catching, killing and selling of frogs or the meat in eateries contradict the provisions of the act and has stringent consequences.
It has also been observed that outsiders, mainly from Margao come with their vans and cars, sometimes even by bus and carry away frogs in sacks with the help of locals.
Bhanudas Gaonkar, an environmentalist and geography teacher is of the opinion that the forest department and concerned authorities need to take more stringent action to curb such illegalities, as frogs help to control the insect population and are an essential part of the food chain.
