Publications
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, July 2001
ISBN 0 731 36213 6
This document constitutes the Approved New South Wales State Recovery Plan for the Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree), and as such considers the conservation requirements of the species across its known range. It identifies actions to be undertaken to ensure the long-term viability of the species in nature and the parties who will carry these out.
The Southern Corroboree Frog is listed as Endangered (Schedule 1, Part 1) on the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The species is distinctive and easily recognised because of a striking colour pattern on its upper surface consisting of bright yellow longitudinal stripes alternating with black stripes. Below it is also boldly marked with black, yellow and white blotches. Adults reach a length of between 25-30 mm.
The species has an extremely limited range, being restricted to sub-alpine areas within Kosciuszko National Park in the south of New South Wales. It is only found at high altitudes (between about 1300 and 1760 m), occupying an area of about 400 km2. The Southern Corroboree Frog utilises two distinct habitat types: a breeding season habitat associated with pools and seepages in sphagnum bogs, wet tussock grasslands and wet heath; and a terrestrial non-breeding habitat in forest, sub-alpine woodland and tall heath adjacent to breeding areas.
It is intended that this recovery plan be implemented over a five-year period. Actions identified in the recovery plan include; (i) monitoring to detect trends in population numbers, (ii) recruitment enhancement through population supplementation, (iii) captive husbandry and breeding trials, (iv) determination of the life-history stage responsible for population decline and age structure of the adult breeding population, (v) screening for pathogens, (vi) habitat protection and (vii) community awareness and involvement.
These will be undertaken by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Amphibian Research Centre and the University of Canberra using existing resources. An additional $248,750 over the five-year period will be required to implement some currently unfunded actions.
BRIAN GILLIGAN
Director-General
BOB DEBUS MP
Minister for the Environment
The research into, and management of, the Corroboree Frog has been a combined effort of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), The University of Canberra (UCAN) and The Amphibian Research Centre (ARC). A number of people have contributed to survey and research work on the species. The NPWS would like to thank the following individuals:
Dr Will Osborne, The University of Canberra, who is the author of this plan. Dr Stephen Clark and Michael Saxon, Threatened Species Unit, Southern Zone, NPWS, for finalising and editing the plan.
Members of the Corroboree Frog Recovery Team who have each in their own way put much thought and effort into the Recovery Program: Stephen Clark (NPWS), Graeme Enders (NPWS), Bob Gay (formerly of NSW State Forests), Graeme Gillespie (Arthur Rylah Institute), Ken Green (NPWS), Steve Horsley (NPWS), David Hunter (UCAN), Ann Jelinek (Env. Aust.), Adrian Johnstone (NPWS), David Lawrence (NPWS), David Leslie (State Forests), Gerry Marantelli (ARC), Will Osborne (UCAN), Marjo Rauhala (Env. ACT), Rod Pietsch (NPWS), Michael Saxon (NPWS), David Shorthouse (Env.. ACT), Craig Smith (NPWS) and Andrew Stirling (State Forests). David Hunter is owed particular thanks for undertaking most of the field research and monitoring since 1996.
Environment Australia has provided ongoing funding for the implementation of the Recovery Plan, resulting in considerable improvements in the knowledge and understanding of the ecology of the Corroboree Frog.