Before the discovery of a single male from Vandiperiyar in 2004, the species had not been recorded after its description in 1891 by George Albert Boulenger.

The species remains very rare, and the known populations, both in Kerala, occur in disturbed habitat (tea plantations) outside protected areas.

[1] The IUCN classifies this frog as endangered because of its small range, which is heavily fragmented and subject to ongoing degradation.

Scientists cite climate change as another threat: Because this species lives high in the hills, it cannot readily migrate to colder habitats.

This frog's range includes a protected park, where an estimated half the population is believed to live: Periyar Tiger Reserve.