Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction Species GIANT BURROWING australiacus Vulnerable

Photo: Rohan Bilney

Arguably one of the most striking almost all ecological and behavioural in Australia, the Giant Burrowing Frog has data being recorded from populations always been considered rare in Victoria in the north of its range. It is critical with limited survey success even from that we gain an understanding of this known habitat. The species is considered species ecology in Victoria so we can in Victoria with improve its . Zoos Victoria Photo: Rohan Bilney is committed to Fighting Extinction We are focused on working with partners to secure the survival of our priority species before it is too late.

As we develop strategies to halt biodiversity decline in Victoria, some of our lesser known species continue to challenge us. The Giant Burrowing Frog (Heleioporus australiacus) remains among Victoria’s most poorly understood species. Critical data collection is needed to effectively assess the status of this species in Victoria.

KEY PROGRAM OBJECTIVES THE PLAN •• Survey known and suitable habitat. The first steps towards improving our knowledge •• Establish an effective long term of this species are to: How can I help? monitoring program. Conduct on-ground surveys We are currently developing $160,000 •• Establish captive husbandry. in key habitat. •• Investigate genetic differences between survey techniques to Establish Giant Burrowing Frog northern and southern populations. husbandry protocols and secure $70,000 effectively monitor this PROGRAM OUTCOMES individuals in our care. poorly known species in Undertake eDNA survey of This is a newly prioritised Zoos Victoria Fighting $140,000 Victoria. Additionally we Extinction species, we aim achieve the objectives key streams. will learn about its captive above and annually report on outcomes through Welcome this new species Zoos Victoria communication channels. onto Zoos Victoria’s priority list biology to answer key establishing the GBF’s presence $15,000 knowledge gaps in case THE SPECIES at our zoos and online as part of our local a future recovery program The Giant Burrowing Frog is a large ground commitment. dwelling species with muscular forelimbs is required. You can support growing to around 95mm. Currently it is listed Total cost over five years $385,000 as a single species ranging from Newcastle in our Wildlife Conservation NSW, south to Walhalla in VIC, however there Master Plan 2019-2024 is considerable morphological and genetic evidence suggesting it is in fact two species. by donating at: It is rarely encountered in Victoria largely due to zoo.org.au/donate lack of species knowledge and cryptic habits. Recent 2015 surveys presented 15 records from a total of nine males from the Mitchell River catchment in East Gippsland, with subsequent incidental records from the same area. Survey PROGRAM PARTNERS methods focus primarily on visual detection, auditory (sound records and manual), tadpole Arthur Rylah Institute and road transects. ari.vic.gov.au Threats to the Giant Burrowing Frog are Department of Environment, numerous including feral cat and foxes, land Land, Water and Planning clearing, fuel reduction burning, grazing, timber delwp.vic.gov.au harvesting and chytrid fungus however all NSW OEH require further investigation. environment.nsw.gov.au Over the next five years, we will collaborate with South Australian Museum stakeholders to collect population data and samuseum.sa.gov.au establish long term monitoring programs to University of Melbourne inform conservation actions for this rare species. unimelb.edu.au We will utilise ground-breaking environmental DNA survey techniques to assess remote habitat University of Newcastle in a thorough and cost-effective way. This data newcastle.edu.au will inform critical actions in the later part of the Wildlife Unlimited Plan and contribute to developing husbandry wildlifeunlimited.net.au knowledge for the Giant Burrowing Frog.

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