Endangered giant burrowing frog returns to wild after tadpoles rescued from ashes of black summer fires
Summary
After the 2019–20 bushfires, researchers rescued about 160 southern giant burrowing frog tadpoles in eastern Victoria and raised them at Melbourne Zoo. Fifty-three of the frogs, now about five years old, were released into their native habitat after recent heavy rain and thunderstorms.Key Facts
- The southern giant burrowing frog is classified as critically endangered in Victoria.
- Researchers collected about 160 tadpoles after the fires and raised them at Melbourne Zoo.
- The zoo’s program bred the species in captivity for the first time last year.
- The 53 released frogs are male and were not selected for the captive breeding program.
- Researchers tagged each frog and installed song meters to detect frog calls at release sites.
- The frogs surface to breed in temporary creeks and ponds when conditions are suitable.
- Victoria has five known breeding sites for the southern giant burrowing frog.
- Habitat destruction, bushfires, drought and reduced rainfall threaten the species.
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