Corroboree Frog Pseudophryne corroboree

Captive Breeding Program

The Southern Corroboree frog occurs only in sub-alpine sphagnum bogs, and with as few as 200 adult frogs left in the wild it is listed as critically endangered.

Scientists assume that a range of factors from climate change to introduced fungal diseases causes the species’ decline.

Climate change affects the snow and rainfall patterns in the alpine ecosystem. This can, in addition to naturally high mortality over the winter period, result in high mortality of eggs in nests.

The fungal disease chytridiomycosis is a very serious threat to all native frogs. It is highly contagious and infection is always fatal. There is evidence that Southern Corroboree frog populations have been exposed to the disease.

There is no guarantee that it will be possible to save the Corroboree Frog, but scientists and the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife decided to at least make the effort.

In 2001 the Foundation directed funds from its Endangered Species Appeal towards a captive breeding program for the Northern Corroboree Frog at the Amphibian Research Centre (ARC) in Victoria.

Over a period of eight years scientists will nurture a captive population in case the species disappears altogether in the wild. Eggs and adults from the captive population are already being released back into the wild.

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