Tassie frog search turns up new territory for elusive smooth froglet
09 Apr 2003
HOBART: WWF-Australia's ten day 'round Tasmania' field trip to track the moves of two autumn breeding frogs - the smooth froglet and the southern toadlet - has already scored its first success with the discovery of new locations for the smooth froglet (Geocrina laevis).
The distinctive grating call ("cre-e-e-e-k - crek - crek-crek") of this plump, brown- striped frog has been recorded by WWF-Australia's team of volunteer frog enthusiasts in the Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park and St Helens areas.
"This is a very exciting discovery as it extends the previously known range of the smooth froglet considerably," said Dr Karyl Michaels, WWF-Australia Tasmanian Coordinator Frogs! Progam.
"We hoped the trip would enable us to update and improve our knowledge of the distribution and abundance of these two species, as existing records were made over a decade ago. But we have already achieved incredible results in such a short time, thanks to the enthusiasm of our volunteers.
"The trip is shaping up to provide some real breakthroughs for frog conservation in Tasmania."
Dr Michaels said the first few days of the trip had already resulted in 40 people signing up to WWF-Australia's Frogseekers network in Tasmania. They will help contribute to frog conservation by monitoring frog populations in their local area.
"We have had an amazing response to the four workshops we have held. People are incredibly keen to learn more about Tasmania's frog species and to be actively involved in conservation of their habitats," said Dr Michaels.
"This is vital as we have also discovered that frog populations have declined in some areas where there has been large scale clearance of vegetation."
The trip started from Hobart last Friday and will finish at Chauncey Vale on Sunday, April 13.Workshops, which will teach volunteers frog detection and monitoring techniques, will be held at Smithton, Burnie, Bronte Park and Chauncey Vale Nature Reserve. Volunteers can still join the frog search and are welcome to attend the following workshops.
Thursday 10 April 5-6pm Circular Head Council Chambers, Smithton
Friday 11 April 4-5pm Training Room, Portside Building, Burnie
Saturday 12 April 11-12pm Bronte Park, Highland Village
Sunday 13 April 2-3pm Chauncy Vale Nature Reserve, Bagdad
To join the Tasmanian field trip contact Marie Waschka on 0407 224 559
If you are interested in frog conservation in Tasmania and would like to become involved in frog monitoring work but are unable to join the field trip, contact Dr Michaels for more information about WWF-Australia's Frogseekers Program in Tasmania at Karyl.Michaels@bigpond.com
The statewide field trip is part of the WWF-Australia Frogs! conservation partnership with Rio Tinto and Comalco Aluminium (Bell Bay) Limited, a member of the Rio Tinto Group and an active participant in the WWF-Australia Frogs! conservation program in Tasmania.
