Cold-hearted poachers are hunting world’s largest frog to the point of extinction
Massive goliath frogs face an uncertain future due to greedy hunters and the spread of a dangerous fungus
These incredible giant frogs are facing extinction due to poachers who hunt them for the exotic pet market.
The aptly named 'goliath frogs' are the largest on Earth, weighing as much as a new born baby, and live in fast-moving freshwater rivers in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
The frogs, which are as large as an average frog when they are just tadpoles, can grow up to 32cm (12.6 inches) in length and can weigh up to 3.25kg.
However the goliath frogs are endangered because poachers hunt them for food and to sell them to animal collectors.
Hunters take to the rivers and streams at night armed with guns and a torch, which is used to spot their eyes before they are cruelly blasted into oblivion.
Wildlife photographer Cyril Ruoso, 46, took a set of stunning photos in Nkongsamba, Western Cameroon, which he's now using to raise awareness of the frogs' dire plight.
The set of pictures also shows biologist Claude Miaud swabbing the frogs' skin for a deadly pathogen called chytrid fungus which is thought to be killing even more of the croakers.
Ruoso, from Lailly, in Burgundy, France, said: "Goliath frog is endemic to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, so it is the only place on earth where we have a chance to spot this animal.
";They live in and around fast-moving freshwater rivers in the two countries. They can live in very small streams in forests or much bigger rivers.
"Goliath frogs are supposed to be protected by law, but as you can see, nobody cares.
The effects of chytrid fungus are not yet known, although its though it which spreads through the water the frogs live in.
"There are many species of chytrid fungi. Most just decompose material like pollen, and cellulose and keratin," Ruoso added.
"Two species are known to infect amphibians. Along with habitat loss, they are thought to be of the main culprits in the global decline frog populations, and may have led to extinction for some species.
"There is no known cure and global warming may be contributing to the increased proliferation of the fungus.
"Little is known about how the fungus spreads."
Mr Ruoso added that not enough is being done to save them. He said: "At the moment nothing special is being done.
";Some people think about captive breeding but it is controversial, some claim it will be a solution to reduce the pressure on the species, others say it will increase the hunting pressure.
"Basically nothing is being done in terms of protection but it is always a big issue in an areas of high poverty and uneducated populations.
"Nobody knows how many are left in the world, but we can be sure that the population is decreasing because of habitat loss, poaching, pollution. The average size is also going down."
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