CAPTURING COORG’S CROAKERS

When you think of Coorg(Kodagu), do you relish a cup of strong hot coffee whilst admiring the view of the surrounding lush green landscape ? Well, wherever you are, grab a cup of coffee, before you proceed further in reading, just to simulate the mindset of being in Coorg, away from it!

After travelling to numerous wildlife destinations, tracking big cats, other mammals and birds, The Outback Experience, a company founded by award-winning photographer Mr. Phillip Ross, launched an annual Rainforest Photo-Tour in August 2017. Phillip, himself having been fascinated by amphibians and reptiles as a young child, decided to share his passion for those smaller subjects, which are otherwise neglected, to the younger generation of nature enthusiasts, and simultaneously impart knowledge about their behaviour and conservation. Nestled in one of India’s oldest landforms, the Western Ghats and often referred to as ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg is home to a myriad of species of frogs, most of which are endemic and facing threats. Serving as basecamp for the inaugural batch was Serene Home, a homestay on the foothills of the Brahmagiri Range, and Honey Valley Resorts, close to the highest peak Mt. Tadiandamol, the following year. Both stunning locations, amidst coffee plantations and clear streams by the side, at elevations between 2900 ft and 4250 ft, practice organic cultivation which minimises the use of pesticides thereby resulting in a pure ecosystem. Less Elephant activity in the area had made it easier for the participants to walk out at night when the frogs, our target subjects, are active. From the above statements, it’s safe to say that Coorg is a more than a ‘weekend-getaway’ spot, but a ‘paradise for herping (herpetology)’, especially during Monsoons. With the hope of motivating more people to ‘leap’ into the interest of frogs, as well as the other species the rainforests offer, I present this report summarising some of the natural wonders we came across, also proving a fact that there’s more to wildlife photography than just safari-vehicle drives.

Opening Outback’s account for documentation, the Expedition’s first-ever frog sighting, was the Semi-Aquatic/Terrestrial Bicoloured Frog (Clinotarsus curtipes), that is prominent on ground but breeds in stagnant water. Initially thought to be endemic to Western Ghats, they are also found in traces along the Deccan Plateau, and are sometimes poached for local consumption. Cricket Frogs such as Fejervarya kudremukhensis, named after its type-locality Kudremukh mountain, and the Fejervarya mudduraja, in honour of the founding ruler, Muddu Raja, of Mercara(present day Madikeri, the district capital), too, are abundant. Thereafter, we were introduced to a new species, the Bush or Shrub Frogs. This genus contradict the fact that frogs emerge from tadpoles during the life-cycle that we were taught about in school, and instead the eggs hatch into young ones or ‘froglets’. Glandular Bush Frog (Raorchestes glandulosus), Sheshachar’s Bush Frog (Raorchestes charius) and Wayanad Bush Frog (Pseudophilautus wyaanadensis), all are endemic to Southern Western Ghats and are threatened due to destruction of it’s habitat, whereas the Coorg Yellow Bush Frog (Raorchestes luteolus), considered a flagship specie of the region, and popular among the shutterbugs for it’s beautiful blue-rim around the eye, and all population is known within Karnataka, sometimes by another name Blue Eyed Bush Frog (Pseudophilautus neelanethrus). Another Arboreal(tree-dwelling) specie on everyone’s wish list is the Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) which is often tracked with it’s distinctive ‘auto-rickshaw’ call. It has the ability to glide for about 12m due to large webbings on the feet, which strongly indicate planet’s evolution to scientists concerned. Another prized catch was the predominantly aquatic Coorg Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris), that was lost to science for 91 years, having been described in 1920 and later rediscovered in 2011. With rising pollution levels on a global scale, the future of these frogs are uncertain, who also have to defend themselves against predators such as the mildly-venomous arboreal Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta), equipped with ‘binocular’ vision.

Apart from the diverse frogs present in the Rainforests of Western Ghats, several species of moluscs inhabit the forest floor. Indrella ampulla is a terrestrial air-breathing giant red snail endemic to the Western Ghats, feeding on fungi and is the only non-invasive species of Gastropodes. On the other hand, Ariophanta immerita, unlike it’s other relatives, posses a shell that coils left-wards, and Mariella dussumieri, a common slug, also found near human settlements, are considered as pests. As far as Arthropodes or Insects are concerned, one may come across the endemic Coorg/Indian-Blue Bambootail Damselfly (Caconeura ramburi) hovering around streams, Coffee Locust (Aularches miliaris), a bright-coloured grasshopper that secretes a toxic foam to keep predators away and considered a pest simultaneously lays eggs which aerate the soil promoting biodiversity, apart from caterpillars butterflies, moths, and caterpillars. Last, but definitely not the least, while trekking in Western Ghats, be aware of blood-sucking Leeches – the more they are, the purer the soil ! Having named the ‘small-subjects’ above, there are slight chances of sighting rare mammals, and also some of the most beautiful birds flying over the canopy.

SERENE HOME, KUTTA, KODAGU, KARNATAKA (Photo: Arnav Pai | 2017)

Bicolored Frog (Clinotarsus curtipes)

Kudremukh Cricket Frog (Fejervarya kudremukhensis)

Wayanad Bush Frog (Pseudophilautus wyaanadensis)

Glandular Bush Frog (Raorchestes glandulosus)

Coffee Locust (Aularches miliaris)

Coorg Bambootail Damselfly (Caconeura ramburi)

HONEY VALLEY, YEVAKAPADI, KODAGU, KARNATAKA (Photo: Arnav Pai | 2018)

Mudduraja Cricket Frog (Fejervarya mudduraja)

Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus)

Yellow Bush Frog (Raorchestes luteolus)

Coorg Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris)

Sheshachar's Bush Frog (Raorchestes charius)

Raorchestes glandulosus

Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta)

Indrella ampulla

Ariophanta immerita

Mariella dussumieri

Cicada, undergoing metamorphosis and emerging out of it's exoskeleton - a common phenomenon during monsoon. (Photo: Arnav Pai | Honey Valley, 2018)

Suggested Equipment : DSLR Camera attached with a Macro-Lens (Wide Angle Kit Lens can also be used, like I have). Raincoats and Gum-boots lined with Knee-length socks over track-pants, must be worn at all time. Carry a torch as well as salt (or anti-leech spray) just before you step out into the field.

The images without watermark have been captured using Apple Ipod Touch, and with iMovie, a short video was filmed during the tour. Links are as follows :

Brahmagiri, 2017 - https://youtu.be/cVvcrxVahQU

Honey Valley, 2018 - https://youtu.be/rGYqqDKTOnc

All Photographs are rightful property of Mr. Arnav Pai and under no circumstances must any of the above images or the write-up be reproduced in any manner.