The Program Focus 

The conservation program for the Southern Corroboree Frog is at a critical stage. Because the Southern Corroboree Frog is rapidly approaching extinction in the wild, it is particularly important that a sustainable captive breeding program is established that maintains this species’ existing genetic variation. Beyond securing this species in captivity, the primary focus is to implement a reintroduction program that allows the on-going interaction between the Southern Corroboree Frog and the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus in the wild long enough for a sustainable co-existence between host and pathogen to evolve. 

In the long-term, the overall objective of the National Recovery Program is to down-list the Southern Corroboree Frog from Endangered to Vulnerable.

The Program Plan

The broad objectives for the Southern Corroboree Frog Recovery Program are to:

• Monitor and assess the ongoing status of populations and locate eggs for the captive rearing and breeding program
• Monitor breeding habitats to determine the likely influence of climate change
• Run a captive breeding program to prevent the complete extinction of this species and maintain existing genetic variation
• Trial re-introductions to determine the most effective technique to maintain this species in the wild
• Conduct ongoing research to determine the ecological interactions between the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus and the Southern Corroboree Frog

Zoos Victoria's Role

Zoos Victoria’s key roles in the recovery of this species are to:

1. Supplement in situ populations through captive breeding for reintroduction.
2. Maintain an insurance population in captivity in the event that the wild population continues to decline.
3. Assist with population monitoring programs.
4. Undertake research into the role of Amphibian Chytrid fungus in population declines.
5. Increase community awareness of the plight of the Southern Corroboree Frog and community support for its conservation.