The authors of the research, from the University of Adelaide, in Australia, reached that conclusion after analyzing the United Nations trade data. France and the United States are the two largest importers of these amphibians, which are also consumed in large quantities in several Asian nations. The largest exporter of frogs is Indonesia , with 5,000 tons per year.
The data is not good news for amphibians, since a third of their world population is in danger of extinction, mainly due to the loss of their natural habitat.
"Frog legs are on the menus of school cafeterias in Europe, in supermarkets in Asia and in upscale restaurants around the world," said Corey Bradshaw, co-author of the study. "Amphibians are already the most threatened animal group and human appetite is not helping their conservation," he adds.
