Surprising discovery in remote Aussie creek
Amphibian ecologist Dr Matt West had the difficult task of releasing 275 captive-bred frogs into a Victorian wilderness and then trying to find them again to see if any survived, by looking under rocks, on top of plants, and in the ripples of cold streams. 'They were also well camouflaged, so they're very difficult to find,' he told Yahoo News Australia.
But despite these challenges, the team was "surprised" to find many more than they initially expected were still alive, despite them facing multiple threats.
The spotted tree frog was listed as critically endangered after numbers plummeted due to a series of horrifying events over the last 30 years, including the introduction of deadly chytrid fungus, the spread of introduced fish, and the Black Summer bushfires which wiped out half of its habitat in Victoria. The release of the frogs is designed to help revive populations and boost genetic diversity.
The frogs were bred at Melbourne Zoo, and then set free as juveniles into the Kiewa River system, which snakes through Mount Beauty in northeastern Victoria. Their range naturally stretches from northeastern Victoria into NSW. The work is part of the Spotted Tree Frog Project, a collaboration between West's company Wild Research, Zoos Victoria and Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation.
Why researchers initially struggled to find many frogs
There can be a lot of variation in the appearance of spotted tree frogs, depending on their environment. Some are bright green, while others are brown, but all have noticeable bumps on their skin, which is why they're called "spotted" tree frogs.
The frogs were released in February, and researchers then had to work fast and track the frogs before winter set in and they became dormant.
'We were going back every month and spending a week out there at a time searching possible areas for the frogs,' West said.
'Initially, we were looking in a tight, little search area where they were released, and we were worried because we weren't finding many of them.'
🐸 Rare frog rediscovered in 'lost world' at edge of cliff
🐸 Tiny creature that almost vanished in the 1990s secretly released
❌ Australian frog declared extinct after decades-long search
The team then broadened their search area, and were surprised to find many of the frogs had travelled up to 2km. While this was considered 'unusual' for the species, previous surveys have focused on adult animals, and the frogs they released were juveniles.
The difficulties experienced in finding rare frogs
When counting other species of frog, it's common for researchers to track them down by listening for their call. But spotted tree frogs can live for up to 18 years, and don't become sexually mature until around five, so they don't start to call for a mate until then.
Besides, the search was conducted around a noisy creek, which roars so loudly it's nearly impossible to hear much at all. So instead, the specialist team had to look out for their eye shine and body shape.
'It's very tricky to find them, they've got very small eyes, and a very small eye reflection as a result. Unfortunately, there's a lot of other things that reflect in their environment as well, like little flecks of granite, water droplets, and spiders,' West said.
What's the best place to release the frogs?
Because the frogs face multiple threats in the wild, only around one per cent have traditionally survived to adulthood. To minimise their chances of death, the frogs were set free in safe havens.
Many of the best spots were bushfire-affected, with little vegetation, so the sunlight could reach the creeks. That's because warmer regions, where the air temperature soars above 25 degrees, make it difficult for chytrid fungus to survive. Other places were chosen because they were free of introduced species like trout.
Their choices appear to have been successful because, surprisingly, around half of the captive-bred animals were relocated during their search.
To date, 600 frogs have been released as part of the Spotted Tree Frog Project.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Experts issue warning as 'alien monster' spider spreads around the globe on cargo ships — here's why it's so dangerous
Experts issue warning as 'alien monster' spider spreads around the globe on cargo ships — here's why it's so dangerous Australia may soon be invaded by a spider that scientists have called an "alien monster." What's happening? The New Zealand false widow spider, a native of the Canary Islands and Madeira in Spain, is an invasive species that is spreading rapidly via cargo shipments. According to the International Business Times, the spider that scientists have labeled an "alien monster" is believed to be making its way to Australia. The false widow is known for adapting well to urban environments and can be found everywhere from mailboxes to garden sheds, so it will thrive in areas of Australia with similar environments. However, this invasive species offers a double whammy with its bites, which is what earned it the label of "alien monster." Though the species is less aggressive than some other spiders found in Australia, its venom is neurotoxic and can cause swelling, pain, tissue necrosis, and low blood pressure. Fatalities from the bite of this spider are rare; however, hospitalizations are not. Even worse, though, is the fact that the false widow spider is a host for a plethora of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, meaning antibiotics don't always work on bites from this species. Why are invasive species concerning? Any kind of invasive species is a major concern for the country it invades, as they can cause immense damage to native species and local ecosystems. As evidenced by the false widow spider in New Zealand, invasive species spread rapidly. They outcompete native species for vital resources, such as food, and introduce new diseases into local populations (or in this case, new neurotoxins and antibiotic-resistant pathogens). Some invasive species can also impact human food supplies, destroy native plants, alter soil chemistry, and even exacerbate extreme weather conditions. Protecting and prioritizing native species is a crucial way to help conserve natural resources, safeguard food supplies for both animals and humans, and limit the spread of new diseases. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about the New Zealand false widow spider? Unfortunately, there's only so much that experts can do to stymie the tide when it comes to invasive species, especially in cases like this one where the species is small and can hide in cargo to enter the country. According to IBT, experts in Australia have urged the government to increase the monitoring of imported goods, educate the public about the species, and make investments in containment measures to mitigate the risks associated with the false widow spider. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
4 hours ago
- CNN
Meet Australia's new species of giant stick insect
A team of Australian scientists has discovered a new species of giant stick insect, Acrophylla alta, in the tropical forests of northeastern Australia. At nearly 40 cm long and weighing 44 grams, it could be the heaviest insect ever recorded in the country.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sad reason why six rare Aussie animals were placed in backpacks and flown 570km to secure location
Australia has the worst record in the world for mammalian extinction. So in a bid to stop history repeating, six rare wallabies have been taken from their rocky stronghold and flown 570km across the country to help bolster an important insurance population. Fewer than 100 southern brush-tailed rock-wallabies remain in the wild, primarily due to habitat destruction and predation by invasive European foxes. But there are an additional 300 to 400 living at the Mount Rothwell sanctuary, west of Melbourne, which is run by environmental charity the Odonata Foundation. Its chief operating officer Matt Singleton explained the wallabies are a curious creature that scales high rocky cliffs, watching people as they walk past. 'They stand up there almost like meerkats. When you sit still and watch them... they mind their own business, but they're always keeping a watchful eye over you,' he said. Related: Rare colour footage of extinct wallaby seen again after 90 years With most of the brush-tailed rock-wallabies at this one location, just north of the You Yangs, the species was deemed susceptible to threats like bushfire. So work is being done to spread the genetics around to improve the health of two smaller populations at faraway predator-proof sanctuaries. Wallabies placed inside backpacks to keep them calm When populations get too small, there's a danger they can become inbred. On Friday morning, three males and three females with healthy genetics were selected to be sent to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in the ACT where a population of 20 live. At the same time, two will be taken from Tidbinbilla to Central Victoria, to help set up a population there. Tidbinbilla is well known for its work in helping save threatened species, and it is one of the last remaining places on Earth where the critically endangered Canberra grassland earless dragon survives. Brush-tailed rock-wallabies are well known for their ability to help the landscape by nibbling between long tussock grasses, potentially improving the landscape for dragons, which require open spaces. They also spread mycorrhizal fungi, which attach to tree roots to help them communicate. As Singleton spoke to Yahoo on Friday afternoon, the wallabies were mid-flight. Each was placed inside a backpack so they'd feel comfortable. 'They feel like they're in a pouch, and it reduces stress on the animals. A lot of macropods like rock wallabies have stress toxins build up in their bodies and they can be fatal to them,' he said. After the wallabies are picked up at Canberra Airport, they'll be placed inside one to two-hectare pens to keep them quarantined from the established Tidbinbilla while they adjust. 🚨 Alarm raised after strange backyard frog phenomenon worsens 🎞️ Incredible Australian footage reveals native predator killing city rats ☠️ Warning 'nowhere is safe' as Australia's 500km toxic problem spreads While the Odonata Foundation has been successful in breeding up numbers, Singleton said the Southern Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby Recovery Team's work has been a collaborative effort. 'I think it's a great example of how people can work together to achieve really great outcomes to recover a species. And from Odonata's perspective, our work couldn't be done without the support of Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund,' he said in reference to the tech giant's $100 million nature investment fund to help conserve natural landscapes and build climate resilience around the world. The project was also supported by the ACT Government and Cesar Australia. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
