Help for a critically-endangered frog

The critically endangered mountain-top nursery frog has jumped into the spotlight as a new project starts, aimed at improving its chances of survival.

The mountain-top nursery frog is only found near Mt Lewis, west of Port Douglas.

Terrain NRM secured funding this week through the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species (Priority Species) Grants for a project focused on protecting the rare frog’s breeding sites at the heights of Mt Lewis National Park.

Reducing threats to mountain-top nursery frogs

The project aims to reduce threats to the survival of the mountain top nursery frog and will be delivered by Terrain in partnership with Western Yalanji traditional owners, James Cook University researchers, Gulf Savannah NRM and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

Project leader Dr Andrew Dennis said feral pigs were a major threat and pig exclusion fencing would be installed around known frog breeding sites. Pig control measures would also begin soon, as well as species monitoring work.

“These frogs are only found in dense, small-leafed, or microphyll rainforest at altitudes above 1100 metres – they’re considered to be one of the most range-restricted frog species in Australia,” Dr Dennis said. “Because of this they’re extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change from warming to changes in rainfall and cloud distribution.

Focus on feral pigs

“Feral pigs are another big threat, and pigs are increasing in numbers at high altitudes and disturbing and in some cases destroying the small palms and woody debris that are critical habitat for the mountain top nursery frog.

“Western Yalanji traditional owners will help monitor exclosure fencing and with surveying the feral pig damage on Mt Lewis, and we’ll work with Queensland Parks and Wildlife rangers on the most effective control measures.

“About 2000 square metres of frog breeding habitat will be fenced off.

“We will also be partnering with James Cook University on research to monitor protected and unprotected habitat, looking at the breeding success of mountain top nursery frogs, the amount of woody debris and the numbers of small palm trees (Linospadix apetiolatus) that they live in and near.