Protecting the precious Green and Golden Bell Frog

Tucked away in the industrial area of Newcastle is Kooragang Island with a sizeable colony of Green & Golden Bell Frogs. The Green and Golden Bell Frog is endangered within NSW and strangely often exist in highly disturbed habitats. This species was once extremely common, however has declined by 90% in its range in the last 30 years, mainly due to ‘Chytridiomycosis Disease’, caused by the chytrid fungus.

The Green and Golden Bell Frog has a variable body colour that is usually vivid pea-green and splotched with an almost metallic brassy brown or gold. Some individuals may be almost entirely green and others may be dominated by golden-brown markings.  

Eco Logical Australia were engaged by Daracon to manage Green and Golden Bell Frogs during landfill capping works of BHP Steelworks era industrial landfill for Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC). ELA Ecologist Dee Ryder led a team of fauna ecologists, assisted by ELA Principal Scientific Ecologist, Dr Frank Lemckert, a recognised frog expert and author of NSW Frog Survey Guidelines. 

Special frog exclusion fencing was installed around the works site to prevent frogs entering the construction area. Initially, with very dry weather conditions, there was little or no movement of Green and Golden Bell Frogs across the site. However, after heavy rainfall and warm weather, a large breeding event within the colony on Kooragang Island was triggered. When the conditions are suitable, eggs are laid in waterbodies where tadpoles take a couple of months to grow and metamorphose into juvenile frogs. After this they move from their natal pond to seek shelter and food. This migratory behaviour is probably due to adult GGBF who will quite willingly graze on other frogs including their own species! 

It wasn’t long before the large juvenile dispersal event was detected, and agile juvenile frogs were on the move!

Eco Logical Australia worked closely with Daracon, the University of Newcastle and HCCDC to manage the precious juvenile frogs by individually capturing and relocating over 2,200 juvenile Green and Golden Bell Frogs. The project team worked long hours, hot days and wet nights to ensure juveniles were relocated to safe habitat within the island. Innovative mitigation measures such as the installation of temporary frog refuge ponds and passive escape ramps were used to ensure that juvenile frogs were provided with water and a means to escape over the fencing. This was very satisfying work to be part of.

Dee, Frank and the team are proud to have contributed toward the conservation of this threatened frog species. ELA used their skills and knowledge to provide flexible and innovative approaches to manage and mitigate impacts to the Green and Golden Bell Frog colony on Kooragang Island.

There is a long way to go before the Green & Golden Bell Frog makes a full recovery, however our project team successfully protected this colony of precious frogs and minimised impacts to them, assisting a whole new generation of the species to head out bravely into the world…

Get in touch for approachable expertise on all things ecology: 
Dee Ryder
Ecologist
0415 207 072
DeeR@ecoaus.com.au
www.ecoaus.com.au