[1][2] It is considered an endangered species threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pathogens, and other hazards.

[3][1] In June 2012, the species was described as new to science by Luis A. Coloma et al. in the journal Zootaxa and named in honour of Charles III, King of the United Kingdom, recognising the then-Prince's work advocating rainforest conservation.

Coloma was later part of an expedition in the Cotacachi Cayapas Ecological Reserve that found small numbers of the frogs, likely due to deforestation.

The Amphibian Ark raised several frogs, hoping to boost the endangered population.

[2][5] The frog is endemic to Ecuador, and found only in the northeast, in the Cordillera de Toisán, in Imbabura Province.