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Photo Credit: Jake Meney

About This Species

The Stuttering Barred Frog (Mixophyes balbus) is a medium-sized amphibian found in the rainforests of eastern Australia. Recognizable by its unique “stuttering” call during the breeding season, this species has smooth, olive-brown skin with darker markings. It thrives in moist, forested areas near streams and rivers, where the cool, humid environment provides the ideal conditions for survival.

Historically found across lowland and upland rainforests in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, the Stuttering Barred Frog has seen significant population declines in recent decades. This frog plays an important ecological role by preying on insects and other small invertebrates, helping to maintain balance in the ecosystem. Additionally, as an amphibian, it acts as an indicator of environmental health, especially regarding water quality.

Threats They Face

Like many Australian amphibians the Stuttering Frog face population declines due to several key threats:

  • Disease: One of the most significant threats is the spread of chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. This disease affects the skin of amphibians, which is essential for respiration and water regulation. Infected frogs often face high mortality rates, severely impacting their populations.

  • Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: The Stuttering Frog's rainforest habitat has been heavily impacted by land clearing for agriculture, urban development, and logging. As their habitat shrinks and fragments, it becomes increasingly difficult for the species to find suitable breeding and foraging sites, threatening their ability to thrive.

  • Water Pollution: Being highly sensitive to water quality, the Stuttering Frog is at risk from pollution caused by agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and urban development. Contaminated water sources harm their breeding success and reduce the availability of suitable habitats for survival.

  • Introduced Species: Introduced predators, such as fish, other frogs, and feral animals like rats, are significant threats. These species prey on the frogs, their eggs, and tadpoles, while also competing for food and space, further exacerbating the challenges the frogs face.

  • Climate Change: Climate change is altering the temperature and rainfall patterns in the frog's rainforest habitat, disrupting their reproductive cycles and food availability. Additionally, more extreme weather events, like floods and droughts, increase the instability of their environment, making it harder for the species to survive.

How Aussie Ark Is Helping

Aussie Ark is committed to providing a long-term future for threatened Australian wildlife, including the Stuttering Frog. Our efforts include:

  • Insurance Population Captive Breeding Program: Aussie Ark is maintaining an insurance population of the Stuttering Frog through a captive breeding at Conservation Ark. This ensures the species' survival by providing optimal conditions for breeding, care, and veterinary support. The program also gathers important data to inform future reintroduction efforts and long-term conservation strategies.

  • Reintroduction & Chytrid Disease Management: Aussie Ark is working to bring the Stuttering Frog back to areas it once called home. Focusing on monitoring health, and genetic diversity as they are reintroduced. We're also exploring how releasing juveniles and tadpoles can help reduce genetic isolation and fight the chytrid disease, giving the species a better chance of recovery.

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