Ethics

Because of the demand and popularity over Kambo in recent years, there is a growing concern over ethical practices around the treatment of the Kambo frog / Phyllomedusa bicolor. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) endangered species database lists them in the "Least Concern" category, in view of their current wide distribution and large population. Also worthy of mentioning, the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog has no known predators.

The Kambo frog is fairly easy to track down in order to extract the secretion. While still dark out, the indigenous tribes who harvest Kambo go into the jungle and imitate the frog's song in order to locate them. The frogs willingly come down, are gently tied by the legs and harmlessly stressed to induce the secretion. This waxy substance is then scraped from its back and legs and put onto wooden sticks where it is dried and can be stored for up to a year. The frog is then released back into its habitat unharmed, still left with enough of its secretion so that it still has protection in the wild. The markings on its leg indicate that it was recently harvested and can take up to three months to disappear, therefore it won't be used again until the rings have fully disappeared. 

Even though the frog may be stressed at times of harvest, the frog is not dispatched. This frog is considered sacred and held with the upmost reverence by the indigenous tribes who work with it and will continue to be protected by these tribes. One last word on ethics regarding Kambo: these frogs will no longer produce their secretion if held in captivity, therefore, they will always remain wild and free in their natural habitat.