Chytridiomycosis caused by the chytrid fungus has driven dozens of amphibian species to extinction and causes mass deaths, representing one of the worst wildlife disease events in recorded history.
Chytridiomycosis causes a prolonged, distressing death in affected amphibians. As the skin - which amphibians use for respiration and electrolyte regulation - becomes increasingly damaged, affected animals become lethargic, assume abnormal postures, and experience cardiac dysfunction. Death occurs over days to weeks. The scale of suffering across millions of individual amphibians in affected populations represents an enormous wildlife welfare crisis that receives insufficient public attention relative to its magnitude.