Nonhuman Obituaries: Oophaga speciosa:

Oophaga speciosa, the Splendid Poison Frog, was among the most brightly colored frogs on Earth. They lived in the humid lowlands and wet montane forests of western Panama, where they were once so conspicuous and abundant that their absence has made them even more hauntingly conspicuous, like waking up one day to a world where, somehow, suddenly, strawberries no longer exist—a fact so devastating that one can hardly begin to know how to grieve.

And though climate change is a culprit, industrial logging, human settlement, and wildlife trafficking all share the blame. In the end, we have traded our Splendid Poison Frogs for a less-splendid poison human.

Dear Oophaga speciosa,

If somehow your froggy little self has transcended this merciless place and you can hear us, please know that we’re sorry. We didn’t mean to make you go extinct. Hopefully, in your soul’s journey, you have finally found it—the rainbow connection!

REST IN LOVE, SPLENDID POISONOUS FRIEND!

Oophaga speciosa is survived by 12 other species of Oophaga.

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