Announcing the Winners of the 2026 World Amphibian Photography Contest

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the first-ever World Amphibian Photography Contest.

This contest asked photographers everywhere to help the world see amphibians more clearly, and to do it the right way. Every entry came with an ethics checklist describing how the image was made, and every finalist went through an authenticity review. The result is a collection of images that celebrates frogs, toads, salamanders and the people protecting them, without asking the animals to pay for the picture.

The contest by the numbers

613 photographs from 67 photographers

78 entries, including 15 Storytelling Portfolios

24 countries and territories

Judged blind by a panel of seven jurors

Thank you to everyone who entered. Entry fees go directly to amphibian conservation through the Amphibian Survival Alliance, so every photographer who took part has already helped amphibians.

Grand Winner: Eperara Siapidara community and the golden poison frog

Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo, Colombia · Storytelling Portfolio

In the forests of Cauca, Colombia, the Eperara Siapidara Indigenous community is protecting the golden poison frog (Phyllobates terribilis), often described as the most toxic vertebrate on Earth. Jack Paul's portfolio follows community monitors walking survey transects, women leading forest restoration, and children planting the trees this endangered frog will depend on.

The frog has long been part of the community's ancestral knowledge. Today that relationship has become active monitoring and protection. With support from partners including Re:wild and Fundación Herencia Natural, the community has declared more than 11,000 hectares as a protective forest reserve. As Jack Paul puts it, this is not only species conservation: it is biocultural restoration.

The portfolio also won the Storytelling category.

A Quiet Act of Protection. In the forests of Cauca, Indigenous community monitors keep constant watch over the golden poison frog, Phyllobates terribilis. Through transect-based surveys, they record sightings, habitat conditions, and key data to understand the conservation status of this extraordinary species. Each monitoring walk is a quiet act of protection: a way to read the forest, detect changes, and defend the fragile habitat where the world’s most toxic vertebrate survives. Science, ancestral knowledge, and territorial care come together in every step. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **A Quiet Act of Protection.** In the forests of Cauca, Indigenous community monitors keep constant watch over the golden poison frog, *Phyllobates terribilis*. Through transect-based surveys, they record sightings, habitat conditions, and key data to understand the conservation status of this extraordinary species. Each monitoring walk is a quiet act of protection: a way to read the forest, detect changes, and defend the fragile habitat where the world’s most toxic vertebrate survives. Science, ancestral knowledge, and territorial care come together in every step. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Restoring Life Together. In the forests of Cauca, the Eperara Siapidara Indigenous community has chosen restoration as a way to protect the habitat of the golden poison frog, Phyllobates terribilis. Through community restoration days, families and local monitors actively recover degraded forest areas, plant native species, and strengthen the ecological conditions this threatened amphibian needs to survive. At the same time, the community watches over its territory to prevent the expansion of coca crops, one of the pressures affecting the frog’s habitat. Here, restoring the forest also means defending life, culture, and territory. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **Restoring Life Together.** In the forests of Cauca, the Eperara Siapidara Indigenous community has chosen restoration as a way to protect the habitat of the golden poison frog, *Phyllobates terribilis*. Through community restoration days, families and local monitors actively recover degraded forest areas, plant native species, and strengthen the ecological conditions this threatened amphibian needs to survive. At the same time, the community watches over its territory to prevent the expansion of coca crops, one of the pressures affecting the frog’s habitat. Here, restoring the forest also means defending life, culture, and territory. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Leaf Window Guardian. Among the orange leaf litter of Colombia’s Cauca forests, the mint morph of Phyllobates terribilis creates a striking contrast: soft in color, but powerful in meaning. Known as the golden poison frog, this species is considered the most poisonous frog on Earth. Its bright coloration is not camouflage, but a warning: a visual signal that tells predators to keep their distance. In this tiny amphibian, beauty, danger, and evolution meet on the forest floor. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **Leaf Window Guardian.** Among the orange leaf litter of Colombia’s Cauca forests, the mint morph of *Phyllobates terribilis* creates a striking contrast: soft in color, but powerful in meaning. Known as the golden poison frog, this species is considered the most poisonous frog on Earth. Its bright coloration is not camouflage, but a warning: a visual signal that tells predators to keep their distance. In this tiny amphibian, beauty, danger, and evolution meet on the forest floor. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

A Forest Rises Again. With every tree planted, a forest begins to return. In the Indigenous territory of the Eperara Siapidara people, women have emerged as leaders in the protection of the golden poison frog, Phyllobates terribilis, and the recovery of the forests it depends on. Their work goes beyond planting: they guide restoration actions, strengthen community care for the territory, and promote the sustainable use of forest resources. In their hands, restoration becomes both an ecological act and a cultural commitment, a way to protect biodiversity, sustain livelihoods, and ensure that life continues to grow. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **A Forest Rises Again.** With every tree planted, a forest begins to return. In the Indigenous territory of the Eperara Siapidara people, women have emerged as leaders in the protection of the golden poison frog, *Phyllobates terribilis*, and the recovery of the forests it depends on. Their work goes beyond planting: they guide restoration actions, strengthen community care for the territory, and promote the sustainable use of forest resources. In their hands, restoration becomes both an ecological act and a cultural commitment, a way to protect biodiversity, sustain livelihoods, and ensure that life continues to grow. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Monitoring for Tomorrow. In the forests of Cauca, the Indigenous community monitoring group has been trained in biodiversity monitoring methods to follow the conservation status of amphibians in their territory. Through transect-based surveys, local monitors record frog sightings, habitat conditions, and field observations that help estimate the population status of species such as the golden poison frog, Phyllobates terribilis. This work strengthens community science, supports conservation decisions, and creates a long-term record of how the forest and its most sensitive species are changing over time. Monitoring today means protecting tomorrow. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **Monitoring for Tomorrow.** In the forests of Cauca, the Indigenous community monitoring group has been trained in biodiversity monitoring methods to follow the conservation status of amphibians in their territory. Through transect-based surveys, local monitors record frog sightings, habitat conditions, and field observations that help estimate the population status of species such as the golden poison frog, *Phyllobates terribilis*. This work strengthens community science, supports conservation decisions, and creates a long-term record of how the forest and its most sensitive species are changing over time. Monitoring today means protecting tomorrow. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Healing the Forest. For the Eperara Siapidara Indigenous community, restoring the forest is not only a physical act. It is also a spiritual process. Planting trees, recovering degraded areas, and protecting the habitat of the golden poison frog, Phyllobates terribilis, are part of a deeper effort to heal the territory. The community believes that the forest must recover its ecological strength and its spiritual balance, restoring harmony between the frog, the trees, the water, and the people. Here, conservation becomes a form of healing: of land, memory, and relationship. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **Healing the Forest.** For the Eperara Siapidara Indigenous community, restoring the forest is not only a physical act. It is also a spiritual process. Planting trees, recovering degraded areas, and protecting the habitat of the golden poison frog, *Phyllobates terribilis*, are part of a deeper effort to heal the territory. The community believes that the forest must recover its ecological strength and its spiritual balance, restoring harmony between the frog, the trees, the water, and the people. Here, conservation becomes a form of healing: of land, memory, and relationship. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Lethal Beauty. Phyllobates terribilis is often described as the most toxic vertebrate on Earth. Its name, “poison dart frog,” comes from the ancestral knowledge of Indigenous communities in Colombia’s Pacific region, who historically used the frog’s powerful toxins for hunting. Today, this mint-colored morph tells a different story: one of conservation. In the threatened forests of Cauca, where coca crops have transformed native habitats, this species is being monitored and protected through forest restoration efforts that seek to recover both biodiversity and territory. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **Lethal Beauty.** *Phyllobates terribilis* is often described as the most toxic vertebrate on Earth. Its name, “poison dart frog,” comes from the ancestral knowledge of Indigenous communities in Colombia’s Pacific region, who historically used the frog’s powerful toxins for hunting. Today, this mint-colored morph tells a different story: one of conservation. In the threatened forests of Cauca, where coca crops have transformed native habitats, this species is being monitored and protected through forest restoration efforts that seek to recover both biodiversity and territory. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Community Forest Monitoring. After restoration begins, the forest must be carefully followed over time. In this community monitoring process, local monitors use a plot-based system to evaluate seedling survival, vegetation growth, forest structure, and signs of ecological recovery. Each plot becomes a living indicator of whether restoration actions are working and how the forest is responding. By measuring, observing, and returning to the same sites, the community transforms restoration into long-term stewardship: generating data, strengthening local knowledge, and ensuring that the recovered forest can continue to sustain biodiversity, territory, and life. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **Community Forest Monitoring.** After restoration begins, the forest must be carefully followed over time. In this community monitoring process, local monitors use a plot-based system to evaluate seedling survival, vegetation growth, forest structure, and signs of ecological recovery. Each plot becomes a living indicator of whether restoration actions are working and how the forest is responding. By measuring, observing, and returning to the same sites, the community transforms restoration into long-term stewardship: generating data, strengthening local knowledge, and ensuring that the recovered forest can continue to sustain biodiversity, territory, and life. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

The Mint Warning. In the rainforests of Cauca, within the Calle Santa Rosa Indigenous Reserve, lives a remarkable being: Phyllobates terribilis, the golden poison frog. Endangered and highly sensitive to habitat degradation, this species has become a conservation target for the Eperara Siapidara people, whose own cultural survival has been deeply affected by armed conflict and territorial pressures. Yet both frog and community continue to resist. As an ecological indicator of healthy forests, the golden poison frog acts as a powerful umbrella for conservation: protecting its habitat also protects water, soil, vegetation, and countless other forms of life. In this territory, safeguarding the frog means safeguarding the forest, and the future of a people who continue to defend it. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **The Mint Warning.** In the rainforests of Cauca, within the Calle Santa Rosa Indigenous Reserve, lives a remarkable being: *Phyllobates terribilis*, the golden poison frog. Endangered and highly sensitive to habitat degradation, this species has become a conservation target for the Eperara Siapidara people, whose own cultural survival has been deeply affected by armed conflict and territorial pressures. Yet both frog and community continue to resist. As an ecological indicator of healthy forests, the golden poison frog acts as a powerful umbrella for conservation: protecting its habitat also protects water, soil, vegetation, and countless other forms of life. In this territory, safeguarding the frog means safeguarding the forest, and the future of a people who continue to defend it. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Small Hands, Big Forests. In the hands of an Indigenous child, a small tree becomes a promise of continuity. Involving young people in forest restoration is essential because conservation is not only about recovering ecosystems today, but about nurturing the guardians of tomorrow. When children plant, observe, and care for the forest, they learn that territory is alive, that biodiversity depends on collective responsibility, and that restoration is also an act of identity and hope. These small hands remind us that big forests are built across generations. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo — **Small Hands, Big Forests.** In the hands of an Indigenous child, a small tree becomes a promise of continuity. Involving young people in forest restoration is essential because conservation is not only about recovering ecosystems today, but about nurturing the guardians of tomorrow. When children plant, observe, and care for the forest, they learn that territory is alive, that biodiversity depends on collective responsibility, and that restoration is also an act of identity and hope. These small hands remind us that big forests are built across generations. Photo: Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo

Category Winners

In the Wild: "The Third Wheel"

Emanuele Biggi, Italy

The Third Wheel. Common toads spawning in a stream as a lone male surfaces. Photo: Emanuele Biggi — **The Third Wheel.** Common toads spawning in a stream as a lone male surfaces. Photo: Emanuele Biggi

At first light in a small stream in central Italy, a pair of common toads (Bufo bufo) spawn while a lone male surfaces for air beside the lens. Emanuele placed his underwater camera gently in the stream and fired it remotely from the bank, so the breeding pair was never disturbed. Jurors loved the chaos and spectacle of a breeding event captured in a single, clearly unmanipulated frame.

Portraits: "Golden nugget"

Anna Maria Modlinska, Poland

Golden nugget. A knocking sand frog covered in sand. Photo: Anna Maria Modlinska — **Golden nugget.** A knocking sand frog covered in sand. Photo: Anna Maria Modlinska

On the dunes of Benguerra Island, Mozambique, a knocking sand frog (Tomopterna krugerensis) all but disappears under a coat of multi-colored sand, leaving one glimmering eye. Anna Maria photographed it from the edge of its habitat without moving or handling it. Jurors called it technically superb, and a rare look at a species few people ever see.

Conservation in Focus: "Holding the future"

Emanuele Biggi, Italy

Holding the future. A herpetologist releasing a spadefoot toad tadpole. Photo: Emanuele Biggi — **Holding the future.** A herpetologist releasing a spadefoot toad tadpole. Photo: Emanuele Biggi

Herpetologist Riccardo Cavalcante holds a large tadpole of the endangered Italian spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus insubricus) for a last second before releasing it, the result of a five-year LIFE project to rebuild the species' populations in northern Italy. Breeding success and reintroduction in one hopeful image.

Storytelling

The Storytelling winner is our Grand Winner, Jack Paul Hernández Restrepo (see above).

Ethical Amphibian Photography Award: "Not as Safe as We Thought"

Sandeep Das, India · Storytelling Portfolio

This special award recognizes photographs that combine exceptional ethical field practice with powerful conservation storytelling. Sandeep's portfolio does both. Drawn from fifteen years of research on the Mahabali, or purple, frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) in India's Western Ghats, it was made without handling the frogs and under a strict biosecurity protocol.

The Mahabali frog spends almost its whole life underground, surfacing for just a few hours a year to breed. It was recently moved from Endangered to Near Threatened after surveys found it in more places. Sandeep's images ask whether it is really any safer: roads, dams, mining and erratic monsoons still threaten its breeding streams, and more than half its range lies outside protected areas. In his words, Near Threatened should not be mistaken for secure.

Against the Current. After spending almost an entire year underground, the Mahabali frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) has only a few precious hours to reproduce. The female must carry the much smaller male on her back through fast-flowing monsoon waters while searching for the perfect oviposition site. The chosen rock crevice must hold enough water to keep the eggs submerged, yet avoid currents strong enough to wash them away. The survival of the next generation depends on this delicate balance. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **Against the Current.** After spending almost an entire year underground, the Mahabali frog (*Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis*) has only a few precious hours to reproduce. The female must carry the much smaller male on her back through fast-flowing monsoon waters while searching for the perfect oviposition site. The chosen rock crevice must hold enough water to keep the eggs submerged, yet avoid currents strong enough to wash them away. The survival of the next generation depends on this delicate balance. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

Toad Bullies. The Mahabali frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) has only a few precious hours each year to breed before retreating underground. During this brief window, breeding pairs often face an unexpected challenge: male Asian common toads attempting to mate with them. These persistent intruders can delay the frogs' race to reach their oviposition sites, where timing is critical before daylight exposes them to predators. Fortunately, the Mahabali frog has evolved remarkable escape strategies. It dives underwater and squeezes through narrow rock crevices and tangled roots, often leaving the larger toads stranded or dislodged. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **Toad Bullies.** The Mahabali frog (*Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis*) has only a few precious hours each year to breed before retreating underground. During this brief window, breeding pairs often face an unexpected challenge: male Asian common toads attempting to mate with them. These persistent intruders can delay the frogs' race to reach their oviposition sites, where timing is critical before daylight exposes them to predators. Fortunately, the Mahabali frog has evolved remarkable escape strategies. It dives underwater and squeezes through narrow rock crevices and tangled roots, often leaving the larger toads stranded or dislodged. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

Unfertilised. For the Mahabali frog, emerging to breed is also an encounter with predators. The brief breeding season attracts checkered keelbacks, which aggregate at breeding sites and exploit this once-a-year opportunity. Here, a gravid female carrying thousands of unfertilized eggs has been captured before reaching her oviposition site. With her death, an entire generation is lost before it even begins. Such predation is a natural part of the frog's ecology, but when combined with roadkills, habitat loss, climate change, and other human-induced pressures, every breeding female becomes increasingly important to the species' survival. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **Unfertilised.** For the Mahabali frog, emerging to breed is also an encounter with predators. The brief breeding season attracts checkered keelbacks, which aggregate at breeding sites and exploit this once-a-year opportunity. Here, a gravid female carrying thousands of unfertilized eggs has been captured before reaching her oviposition site. With her death, an entire generation is lost before it even begins. Such predation is a natural part of the frog's ecology, but when combined with roadkills, habitat loss, climate change, and other human-induced pressures, every breeding female becomes increasingly important to the species' survival. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

Three is a Crowd. The Mahabali frog depends on rock crevices in streams with flowing water to lay its eggs. In this landscape, however, the construction of a check dam has permanently submerged several traditional oviposition sites, leaving only a handful of suitable breeding locations. As a result, multiple pairs are forced to converge at the same sites, leading to unusually high breeding densities and communal oviposition. Such habitat alteration increases competition for limited nesting space and may affect breeding success. Even small changes to stream hydrology can profoundly disrupt the reproductive ecology of this ancient amphibian. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **Three is a Crowd.** The Mahabali frog depends on rock crevices in streams with flowing water to lay its eggs. In this landscape, however, the construction of a check dam has permanently submerged several traditional oviposition sites, leaving only a handful of suitable breeding locations. As a result, multiple pairs are forced to converge at the same sites, leading to unusually high breeding densities and communal oviposition. Such habitat alteration increases competition for limited nesting space and may affect breeding success. Even small changes to stream hydrology can profoundly disrupt the reproductive ecology of this ancient amphibian. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

Mission Accomplished. After a perilous journey through predators, raging currents, and countless obstacles, the female Mahabali frog finally reaches a suitable rock crevice to lay her eggs. As thousands of eggs are released into the flowing water, the male immediately fertilizes them externally, marking the successful completion of their once-a-year breeding effort. The embryos will develop within the safety of the submerged crevice before hatching into torrent-dwelling tadpoles. This extraordinary reproductive event, lasting only a few hours each year, determines the survival of the next generation of one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct amphibians. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **Mission Accomplished.** After a perilous journey through predators, raging currents, and countless obstacles, the female Mahabali frog finally reaches a suitable rock crevice to lay her eggs. As thousands of eggs are released into the flowing water, the male immediately fertilizes them externally, marking the successful completion of their once-a-year breeding effort. The embryos will develop within the safety of the submerged crevice before hatching into torrent-dwelling tadpoles. This extraordinary reproductive event, lasting only a few hours each year, determines the survival of the next generation of one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct amphibians. Photographed at Thrissur Forest Division, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

Emerged to Reproduce, Never to Return. For the Mahabali frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis), the journey to the breeding stream is fraught with danger. Many breeding sites are separated from their underground refuges by roads, forcing gravid females carrying thousands of eggs to cross stretches of asphalt on monsoon nights. Tragically, many are crushed by passing vehicles before reaching their destination. Each roadkill represents not only the loss of an adult but also an entire generation that will never be born. Simple mitigation measures, such as seasonal road closures or amphibian crossings, could save countless lives. Photographed at Nelliyampathy, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **Emerged to Reproduce, Never to Return.** For the Mahabali frog (*Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis*), the journey to the breeding stream is fraught with danger. Many breeding sites are separated from their underground refuges by roads, forcing gravid females carrying thousands of eggs to cross stretches of asphalt on monsoon nights. Tragically, many are crushed by passing vehicles before reaching their destination. Each roadkill represents not only the loss of an adult but also an entire generation that will never be born. Simple mitigation measures, such as seasonal road closures or amphibian crossings, could save countless lives. Photographed at Nelliyampathy, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

A Hidden Threat. Emerging diseases may represent one of the least understood threats to the Mahabali frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis). During recent surveys, we encountered both live and dead individuals exhibiting severe skin lesions, raising concerns about an unknown pathogen. Laboratory tests ruled out Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the chytrid fungus responsible for global amphibian declines, suggesting another disease or environmental factor may be involved. As climate change and habitat disturbance alter ecosystem dynamics, monitoring wildlife health becomes increasingly important. Understanding these emerging threats is essential for securing the future of this ancient amphibian. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **A Hidden Threat.** Emerging diseases may represent one of the least understood threats to the Mahabali frog (*Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis*). During recent surveys, we encountered both live and dead individuals exhibiting severe skin lesions, raising concerns about an unknown pathogen. Laboratory tests ruled out *Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis* (Bd), the chytrid fungus responsible for global amphibian declines, suggesting another disease or environmental factor may be involved. As climate change and habitat disturbance alter ecosystem dynamics, monitoring wildlife health becomes increasingly important. Understanding these emerging threats is essential for securing the future of this ancient amphibian. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

The Last Drink. Much of the Mahabali frog's known distribution lies outside the protected area network, with many breeding streams located near popular waterfall destinations. Unregulated tourism leaves behind plastic, glass, and liquor bottles that pollute habitats. Here, a dead male lies beside eggs that never had a chance to develop after liquor from a discarded bottle seeped into the breeding stream. Such seemingly small acts can have devastating consequences during the frog's brief annual breeding event. Conserving this ancient amphibian requires protecting not only the species, but also the habitats on which its survival depends. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **The Last Drink.** Much of the Mahabali frog's known distribution lies outside the protected area network, with many breeding streams located near popular waterfall destinations. Unregulated tourism leaves behind plastic, glass, and liquor bottles that pollute habitats. Here, a dead male lies beside eggs that never had a chance to develop after liquor from a discarded bottle seeped into the breeding stream. Such seemingly small acts can have devastating consequences during the frog's brief annual breeding event. Conserving this ancient amphibian requires protecting not only the species, but also the habitats on which its survival depends. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

From Home to Rubble. For the Mahabali frog, the rocky hill slopes are far more than scenic landscapes; they are irreplaceable breeding habitats. Seasonal streams flowing through these hills, along with the surrounding forest floor, sustain one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct amphibians. Yet across vast areas of its known distribution, these ancient habitats are being blasted, excavated, and quarried for rock to feed expanding infrastructure. As hills disappear, streams are altered, breeding sites vanish, and entire populations lose the habitats they have depended on for millions of years. Once destroyed, these ecosystems cannot simply be recreated. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **From Home to Rubble.** For the Mahabali frog, the rocky hill slopes are far more than scenic landscapes; they are irreplaceable breeding habitats. Seasonal streams flowing through these hills, along with the surrounding forest floor, sustain one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct amphibians. Yet across vast areas of its known distribution, these ancient habitats are being blasted, excavated, and quarried for rock to feed expanding infrastructure. As hills disappear, streams are altered, breeding sites vanish, and entire populations lose the habitats they have depended on for millions of years. Once destroyed, these ecosystems cannot simply be recreated. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

The Climate Chronicle. The Mahabali frog's breeding cycle is precisely synchronized with the monsoon, making it exceptionally vulnerable to climate change. Over the past decade, increasingly erratic rainfall, arriving too early or too late, has disrupted this finely tuned life history. Delayed monsoons dry seasonal nursery pools, leaving eggs and newly hatched tadpoles to desiccate before development is complete, as seen here. In contrast, intense early rains generate torrents that wash away fragile egg masses before they hatch. For these frogs, even slight shifts in rainfall timing can determine the fate of an entire breeding season. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das — **The Climate Chronicle.** The Mahabali frog's breeding cycle is precisely synchronized with the monsoon, making it exceptionally vulnerable to climate change. Over the past decade, increasingly erratic rainfall, arriving too early or too late, has disrupted this finely tuned life history. Delayed monsoons dry seasonal nursery pools, leaving eggs and newly hatched tadpoles to desiccate before development is complete, as seen here. In contrast, intense early rains generate torrents that wash away fragile egg masses before they hatch. For these frogs, even slight shifts in rainfall timing can determine the fate of an entire breeding season. Photographed in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. Photo: Sandeep Das

Honorable Mentions

In the Wild

"Starlight Starbright" by Jeremiah Winden, USA: an Imbabura tree frog (Boana picturata) under a headlamp starburst in Canandé, Ecuador

"The Passenger" by Jeremiah Winden, USA: a sharp-nosed forest toad (Rhinella acutirostris) carrying a fly through the Ecuadorian Amazon

Portraits

"Colorful Embrace" by Guillaume Correa Pimpao, French Guiana: the bright orange legs of a tiger-striped tree frog (Callimedusa tomopterna) against a green leaf

"Hecate" by Guillaume Correa Pimpao, French Guiana: a giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) on a foggy, moonlit night

Conservation in Focus

"Crossing the line" by Ludmila Korešová, Czech Republic: common toads crossing a busy road during their spring migration, a threat her volunteer group, Frog Patrol, tackles every year

Storytelling

Tristan Vratil, USA: a researcher climbs into the Amazon canopy in Ecuador to study how chytrid fungus may spread through the water held in bromeliads

Tributary of the Arajuno River. A tributary to the Arajuno River flows through the Zanja Arajuno Ecological Reserve in the upper Amazonian region of the Pastaza province in Ecuador. The primary and secondary forest found on the reserve hosts great amphibian diversity and an abundance of bromeliads, a focus of research by Dr. Maria del Mar Moretta-Urdiales (“Mar”). Her aim is to investigate the host-pathogen dynamics between frogs and the deadly chytrid fungus by examining bromeliads in the canopies as possible reservoirs where small pockets of water persist, helping both the amphibians and the fungus survive and spread. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Tributary of the Arajuno River.** A tributary to the Arajuno River flows through the Zanja Arajuno Ecological Reserve in the upper Amazonian region of the Pastaza province in Ecuador. The primary and secondary forest found on the reserve hosts great amphibian diversity and an abundance of bromeliads, a focus of research by Dr. Maria del Mar Moretta-Urdiales (“Mar”). Her aim is to investigate the host-pathogen dynamics between frogs and the deadly chytrid fungus by examining bromeliads in the canopies as possible reservoirs where small pockets of water persist, helping both the amphibians and the fungus survive and spread. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Preparing the Ropes. Mar has spotted a few bromeliads growing in the canopy of a large tree. She checks the position of the climbing rope on the limb of a tree while Moises Tenorio works to guide it to a secure place. Once in position, the rope will be anchored to another tree’s trunk and the climbing gear fitted. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Preparing the Ropes.** Mar has spotted a few bromeliads growing in the canopy of a large tree. She checks the position of the climbing rope on the limb of a tree while Moises Tenorio works to guide it to a secure place. Once in position, the rope will be anchored to another tree’s trunk and the climbing gear fitted. Photo: Tristan Vratil

The Bromeliad. Bromeliads are epiphytic plants that grow above the ground in humid tropical forests. Their leaves sprout from a central point, forming natural reservoirs that collect rainwater at their base. These small pools provide amphibians with places to hydrate and reproduce. However, they may also serve as sites for the spread of chytrid fungus, allowing the pathogen to persist in the water and infect frogs that later use the same bromeliad. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **The Bromeliad.** Bromeliads are epiphytic plants that grow above the ground in humid tropical forests. Their leaves sprout from a central point, forming natural reservoirs that collect rainwater at their base. These small pools provide amphibians with places to hydrate and reproduce. However, they may also serve as sites for the spread of chytrid fungus, allowing the pathogen to persist in the water and infect frogs that later use the same bromeliad. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Gearing Up. Mar finalizes her checks before being cleared to climb. The gear needed to climb is heavy as it includes a backpack with sampling supplies and extra ropes to allow horizontal navigation once in the canopy of the tree. Moises will conduct a secondary check of the gear before the climber is allowed to begin. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Gearing Up.** Mar finalizes her checks before being cleared to climb. The gear needed to climb is heavy as it includes a backpack with sampling supplies and extra ropes to allow horizontal navigation once in the canopy of the tree. Moises will conduct a secondary check of the gear before the climber is allowed to begin. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Ascent. Monica Argueta climbs the 70-foot tree to collect water samples from the bromeliads. Climbing to this height is arduous work, requiring a motion similar to climbing stairs. As one foot rises, the rope locks into place, allowing the climber to push upward with that leg while simultaneously pulling with their arms. Repeating this sequence tens or hundreds of times, the climber slowly ascends until reaching the canopy. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Ascent.** Monica Argueta climbs the 70-foot tree to collect water samples from the bromeliads. Climbing to this height is arduous work, requiring a motion similar to climbing stairs. As one foot rises, the rope locks into place, allowing the climber to push upward with that leg while simultaneously pulling with their arms. Repeating this sequence tens or hundreds of times, the climber slowly ascends until reaching the canopy. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Water Sample. Mar carefully gathers water samples from the bromeliads. She is wearing gloves in order to ensure she does not contaminate the sample. Later, Mar will test the water for the presence of the chytrid fungus by extracting the DNA and analyzing it with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or qPCR. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Water Sample.** Mar carefully gathers water samples from the bromeliads. She is wearing gloves in order to ensure she does not contaminate the sample. Later, Mar will test the water for the presence of the chytrid fungus by extracting the DNA and analyzing it with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or qPCR. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Sample Processing. Mar and Moises process the samples they collected in the field. To work in remote locations without access to refrigeration or freezers, Mar has developed her own portable laboratory that allows her to process and preserve samples immediately after collection. This mobile setup ensures the integrity of the samples until they can be transported to a permanent laboratory for further analysis. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Sample Processing.** Mar and Moises process the samples they collected in the field. To work in remote locations without access to refrigeration or freezers, Mar has developed her own portable laboratory that allows her to process and preserve samples immediately after collection. This mobile setup ensures the integrity of the samples until they can be transported to a permanent laboratory for further analysis. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Night Survey. Under the glow of a street lamp, Mar, Moises, and Monica scan the vegetation along a road that bisects the forest. For many frogs, crossing the road is a dangerous journey, as it is frequently traveled by locals and logging trucks. Small breeding ponds lie on either side of the road, forcing many amphibians to cross in order to reproduce and increasing their risk of being struck by passing traffic. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Night Survey.** Under the glow of a street lamp, Mar, Moises, and Monica scan the vegetation along a road that bisects the forest. For many frogs, crossing the road is a dangerous journey, as it is frequently traveled by locals and logging trucks. Small breeding ponds lie on either side of the road, forcing many amphibians to cross in order to reproduce and increasing their risk of being struck by passing traffic. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Mar and her Frog. Mar examines a yellow-spotted glass frog (Rulyrana flavopunctata) collected during a night survey. The bag is used to ensure the frogs are never directly handled with bare hands and contains both vegetation and moisture to safely contain the frog until data can be collected from it such as size, sex, a swab for chytrid fungus, and genetic material. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Mar and her Frog.** Mar examines a yellow-spotted glass frog (*Rulyrana flavopunctata*) collected during a night survey. The bag is used to ensure the frogs are never directly handled with bare hands and contains both vegetation and moisture to safely contain the frog until data can be collected from it such as size, sex, a swab for chytrid fungus, and genetic material. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Yasuní Tree Frog. An adult Yasuní tree frog (Boana ventrimaculata) rests on a branch overhanging the trail during a nighttime survey. The frog was photographed in situ before being collected for the research project. Researchers gently swab its skin with a sterile cotton swab to test for the presence of the chytrid fungus and collect a small toe clip for genetic analysis. These genetic samples help confirm the frog's identity, an important step in Ecuador, where many frog species are cryptic or remain undescribed. Photo: Tristan Vratil — **Yasuní Tree Frog.** An adult Yasuní tree frog (*Boana ventrimaculata*) rests on a branch overhanging the trail during a nighttime survey. The frog was photographed *in situ* before being collected for the research project. Researchers gently swab its skin with a sterile cotton swab to test for the presence of the chytrid fungus and collect a small toe clip for genetic analysis. These genetic samples help confirm the frog's identity, an important step in Ecuador, where many frog species are cryptic or remain undescribed. Photo: Tristan Vratil

Pietro Muzi Falconi, Italy: an urban rewilding project near Milan bringing back the endemic Lataste's frog (Rana latastei)

Sunset over the pond. The wetlands of Parco delle Cave, on the western edge of Milan. A city of more than a million people ends here, and something older begins. This pond was built by hand to bring amphibians back. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **Sunset over the pond.** The wetlands of Parco delle Cave, on the western edge of Milan. A city of more than a million people ends here, and something older begins. This pond was built by hand to bring amphibians back. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

Life explosion. Lataste's frog eggs anchor beneath the surface of a newly built pond. The split frame tells the whole story: above, a world of dry reeds and winter light; below, the first declaration that something is coming back. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **Life explosion.** Lataste's frog eggs anchor beneath the surface of a newly built pond. The split frame tells the whole story: above, a world of dry reeds and winter light; below, the first declaration that something is coming back. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

New life. A mass of frog spawn spreads across the shallows: hundreds of future frogs, suspended in gel, breathing through water. Spring has arrived before anyone noticed. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **New life.** A mass of frog spawn spreads across the shallows: hundreds of future frogs, suspended in gel, breathing through water. Spring has arrived before anyone noticed. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

Endemism on the leaves. A Lataste's frog, endemic to the Po Valley, emerges from the leaf litter at the pond's edge on a February night. It has migrated here in darkness, drawn by water it could not have known was built for it. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **Endemism on the leaves.** A Lataste's frog, endemic to the Po Valley, emerges from the leaf litter at the pond's edge on a February night. It has migrated here in darkness, drawn by water it could not have known was built for it. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

Latastei up close. The eye of an Italian Lataste's frog, a species present in fewer than 400 sites on Earth, one of which is now a hand-built pond in the suburbs of Milan. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **Latastei up close.** The eye of an Italian Lataste's frog, a species present in fewer than 400 sites on Earth, one of which is now a hand-built pond in the suburbs of Milan. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

Monitoring water. Scientists wade through the pond at night, nets and torches in hand. The monitoring is methodical, unglamorous, and essential. Without it, nobody would know whether any of this is working. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **Monitoring water.** Scientists wade through the pond at night, nets and torches in hand. The monitoring is methodical, unglamorous, and essential. Without it, nobody would know whether any of this is working. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

Confirmation. Their monitoring activity has confirmed the return of another elusive amphibian, the smooth newt. Here, two newts are caught in a researcher's net so their life stage and condition can be checked. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **Confirmation.** Their monitoring activity has confirmed the return of another elusive amphibian, the smooth newt. Here, two newts are caught in a researcher's net so their life stage and condition can be checked. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

Back to its water. The smooth newt is then released back into the pond, ready to reproduce and repopulate the suburban areas of Milan. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi — **Back to its water.** The smooth newt is then released back into the pond, ready to reproduce and repopulate the suburban areas of Milan. Photo: Pietro Muzi Falconi

Thank you

Our deepest thanks to our jurors, who gave their time and expertise to judge every entry blind: Megh Roy Choudhury, Jaime Culebras, Andrew Evans, Brian Gratwicke, Tim Paine, Andrew Snyder and Scott Trageser. You can read more about them on the contest page.

Thank you to every photographer who shared their work, and to everyone who spread the word. Amphibian conservation doesn't happen alone, and neither did this contest.