Constructed ponds for threatened frog show early signs of success

Litoria littlejohni (Littlejohn's tree frog - LLJ) is listed as Endangered with extinction on the IUCN Red List. The Centre for Conservation Science has been researching this species for six years and recently got the chance to apply some of our research knowledge to help improve the plight of the frog. We knew that LLJ used man-made ponds at some sites. We also knew that they didn't like water bodies with introduced fish in them. So, we worked with a range of partners (in this case Forest Corporation around the Watagans) to create artificial ponds along drainage lines.

Forest Corporation dug in a heap of ponds three months ago. Last night, a team of us went back to survey how successful they'd been.

We were staggered! The great majority of new ponds had LLJ tadpoles in them, most had LLJ calling nearby, and several had LLJ adults within them.

This is a staggering success for so early in the program. It really illustrates the value in well funded conservation research, and then working with key stakeholders to implement the applied outcomes of the work. If only this was happening to more threatened species.

Alex, Zoe and Asher observe LLJ in a newly constructed pond.

Alex shows an Endangered Litoria littlejohni!

The team planning our monitoring activities: Asher, Alex, Ethan, Rose, Clemente, Lily and Zoe.

Striped marsh frog have colonised the ponds very quickly too!

It's always important to keep an eye open for other species using the ponds!

The team in front of one of the signs designed by a University of Newcastle Natural History Illustration course graduate - Rose, Zoe, Ethan, Alex, Asher, Lily and Clemente.

Zoe assessing pond depth and searching for tadpoles.