20 Jun GREEN AND GOLDEN BELL FROGS BORN AT AUSSIE ARK!
SUCCESSFUL BREEDING LEADS TO HUNDREDS OF GREEN AND GOLDEN BELL FROGS BORN AT AUSSIE ARK CONSERVATION FACILTIES! Donate Now
Aussie Ark is celebrating the birth of one hundred endangered Green and Golden Bell Frogs following successful breeding earlier in the year. The Green and Golden Bell Frog project was established in late 2021, and aims to breed the species, trial chytrid immunity treatments and rewild the species to boost wild populations.
Green and Golden Bell frogs are most notably known for their striking colour combination, bright green backs with gold patches, although they can become almost completely dark brown when the frog is cold or inactive. Like many Australian frog species, they are declining rapidly. Amphibians, particularly frogs, are among the hardest hit by this extinction crisis; at least 2,000 species of amphibians are in danger of extinction, according to a recent study. A report from the United Nations confirmed that 40% of amphibian species are threatened.
“Frogs are an incredible species of animal; they act as environmental health indicators. So, the disturbing disappearance of our amphibian species is a definite cause for concerns” said Jake Meney, Head of Reptiles.
He continued “That’s what makes projects, like this, set up by conservation organisations like Aussie Ark, so incredibly important. In just a short time we have already had incredible success. We know that long term we can make a real difference to the species”
The conservation program started by Aussie Ark, alongside Macquarie University, aims to breed the endangered species in large enough numbers to return to the wild. While also looking at a key driver of extinction in frogs, Chytrid Fungus, and developing an immunity response to the disease before rewilding.
This first colony of Green and Golden Bell frogs born in the program is just the first step. The organisation has goals to rewild thousands of the endangered species back to the wild, to help bolster the wild population and have the species downgraded.
Work will continue over the coming years to breed for release and continue working with Macquarie University on developing Chytrid Fungus Immunity. You can support Aussie Ark and their work to protect and rewild the Green and Golden Bell Frog by donating today!
