What is so upsetting is that the frog was discovers in 2008 in Peru, that is only three years ago. Which appears to mean that the moment an attractive specie like the blessed poison frog is discovered it already becomes nearly extinct.
Think about this possible scenario. A group of scientists surveys an area—likely a mixture of rainforest and subsistence agriculture, or swidden slash and burn. They get very excited about the discoveries and will certainly query the local inhabitants about the animal: how often have they come across it, is it used for anything, do they know it is poisonous… Yes, of course, it's poisonous, colour schemes like that denote a warning, don't touch!
But the locals also perceive that these strangers are interested in collecting a few more. And even more so when after a while more strangers from the distant city come searching for this animal, offering to buy them at what seems a remarkably high price for a little frog that is of no use and has not disturbed anyone as long as you don't hold it or let it jump on you…
The IUCN report even states: It is suspected that local inhabitants may be felling trees to collect these frogs for the black market, impacting not only this species but others that share the same environment (J. L. Brown pers. comm. July 2011).
Not only another, maybe not yet discovered specie, but definitely the forest. The Blessed Poison Frog might be saved from extinction through the terrariums of the buyers who keep the trade alive. The felled trees would, however, be lost for good.
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