Northern Corroboree Frog surveys across Bondo State Forest have recorded the highest number of detections in recent years signalling encouraging signs for the critically endangered species.

Surveys undertaken by Forestry Corporation, Saving our Species officers and the Tumut/Brungle Local Aboriginal Land Council in March recorded around 1000 Northern Corroboree Frogs across both the hardwood and softwood estates of Bondo State Forest.

Importantly, several key sites, which had been presumed to be extinct due to a lack of detections in previous years were found to have revived this year.

Field Ecologist Craig Dunne: 

“This year’s survey results represent a major improvement compared with a decline we saw in 2023, when frog numbers dropped to their lowest levels and we thought we might see the species declining into extinction,” Mr Dunne said.

“In the hardwood estate three years ago just 60 frogs were recorded at 12 sites compared with 390 frogs, which were detected this year.

“The increase we’re now seeing indicates the species has recovered from that low point with overall detections returning to levels comparable with earlier years. While some populations have remained small or stable, others that declined sharply in recent years have rebounded strongly,” he said.

Mr Dunne said the findings highlighted the importance of long‑term monitoring and the need to address a multitude of threats to the species.

“The northern corroborree frog has historically declined due to the chytrid disease, but it also faces threats from climate change, blackberry encroachment and habitat degradation by feral horses, pigs, cattle and deer.

"As we have seen in previous years, disruption to the breeding season can set a population back for many years to come and can cause local extinction if the species can’t hold on until conditions improve. Although we have seen the species disappear from much of its former range, it is encouraging to see them remain stable in some places and to even come back from the brink in other places.”

Forest Information Officer Madilyn Gavin:

Surveys conducted in softwood pine plantation areas of Bondo State Forest also delivered encouraging results, with 84 frogs detected, the highest number recorded in those areas since 2011.

“Detections were made at three new locations near pine plantations, which will be included in future surveys,” Ms Gavin said.

“Finding frogs in areas where they had not been detected for some time highlights why it’s important to continue reviewing and expanding our monitoring network,” she said.

The brightly striped Northern Corroboree Frog, reaching 2.5 to 3 centimetres in length, is native to the alpine regions of NSW and the ACT and is listed as critically endangered.

In addition to frog monitoring, surveys also recorded the endangered plant Pimelea bracteata, commonly known as the Scaly‑flowered Pimelea, with 74 individual plants observed.