Second chance: 80 critically endangered spotted tree frogs to be released into Kosciuszko national park

Authored by theguardian.com and submitted by dfssfggg
image for Second chance: 80 critically endangered spotted tree frogs to be released into Kosciuszko national park

Two years after the 2019-20 summer bushfires nearly wiped out the species, 80 critically endangered spotted tree frogs are jumping back into the wild in NSW.

“Releasing these 80 spotted tree frogs back into the wild, despite all the setbacks this species has faced, is a reminder to have optimism about the conservation work we’re doing,” the NSW environment minister, James Griffin, said in a statement on Monday.

Some of these setbacks included a deadly disease that almost eradicated the frogs, along with the southern and northern corroboree frogs, in 2001.

The amphibians, numbering around 250-300 at the time, were estimated to be reduced to about 10 when the devastating bushfires burned through forests and bushland across the state.

The release, after a successful breeding program, into Kosciuszko national park helps give the species, which is unique to NSW and Victoria, a second chance.

“The spotted tree frog is fundamental to the maintenance of ecosystem health in the NSW upland rivers where it lives,” said the Department of Planning and Environment’s senior threatened species officer, David Hunter.

“It occupies many streams where they are the only frog species, and tadpoles of this species consume nutrients and algae in large numbers.

“They are also food for other species such as snakes, birds, mammals and predatory invertebrates, playing an important role in the food web,” Hunter said.

The NSW government’s Saving our Species program is backed by a $175m commitment over 10 years. Australia has the highest rate of species extinction in the world, with the climate crisis expected to raise the risk of further annihilation.

Earlier this month, Griffin announced a record $200m for koala conservation to help double the state population of the endangered Australian icon.

SciomancyYT on April 18th, 2022 at 04:31 UTC »

I read this as critically depressed 3 times before I realized it was endangered. I need help

11010110101010101010 on April 18th, 2022 at 04:02 UTC »

No idea a national park in Australia was named after an American and polish/Lithuanian/Belarusian war hero. An amazing guy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadeusz_Kościuszko

Marmite_Badger on April 18th, 2022 at 02:56 UTC »

Frogs like battle royale too.