VICTORIA LEAPS ON ACT€S FROG BREEDING SUCCESS

Two years after Tidbinbilla bred the first Northern Corroboree frogs in captivity, wildlife officers are helping a Victorian-based sanctuary establish a new breeding program.

Forty adult frogs will travel from Canberra to the Healesville Sanctuary this week under the supervision of Tidbinbilla wildlife staff as part of a national effort to save the endangered species.

This is the second time the Tidbinbilla-bred frogs have been transferred inter-state with 40 adult frogs donated to the Taronga Zoo last year.

Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services Jon Stanhope said the ACT Government-funded breeding program was helping to save the endangered species.

"After the devastation of the 2003 bushfires, the Government embarked on a dedicated program to save the Northern Corroboree Frogs from the threat of extinction," Mr Stanhope said.

"The ACT was the first jurisdiction to breed the frogs in captivity and I am pleased that government researchers have able to share their success with the Healesville Sanctuary and the Taronga Zoo.

"Around 700 viable eggs were produced in this year's breeding season which finished in March, bringing Tidbinbilla's total captive population to over 1,000 frogs.

"As captive numbers increase, researchers are planning to release the frogs back to the wild.

"Canberrans can be proud of Tidbinbilla's efforts to save the Northern Corroboree frog," Mr Stanhope said.

The Northern Corroboree Frog has bright yellow and black stripes on its back. Adults reach a length of 2.5 - 3 cm.

Media Contact:

Chantelle Lustri 6205 2775 0434 560 770 chantelle.lustri@act.gov.au
Jess Wurf 6205 0504 0411 772 700 jess.wurf@act.gov.au