"The 25 frogs, released at Mawson Ponds, are about 14 months old and have been immunised against chytridiomycosis, a disease caused by two fungal species. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Tuesday's reintroduction was the first of 15 releases at wetland sites around Canberra, which will total about 375 frogs. Each frog is microchipped and even named, with help from volunteers involved in the project. We've had some creative ones, said Dr Jarrod Sopniewski, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Canberra. We have a James Pond and Dua Leaper."
"To give the amphibians the best chance of survival, the team has dug 60 frog spas four at each wetland site and also installed 180 frog saunas. The frog saunas and spas would provide little pockets of disease refuge in the wetlands for the offspring that are eventually produced, because of course the offspring aren't immunised, Clulow said. Frog saunas in this case, perspex pyramids covering a three-level tower of black-painted bricks are hoped to provide refuges for the frogs at temperatures lethal to the chytrid fungi. The pathogen itself is quite susceptible to elevated temperature it doesn't like temperatures over 25C; 27 or 28C is quite lethal to it, Clulow said. A lot of Australian frogs prefer those temperatur"
Green and golden bell frogs were reintroduced to the Australian Capital Territory for the first time since about 1981, beginning with 25 individuals released at Mawson Ponds. The released frogs are approximately 14 months old, immunised against chytridiomycosis, microchipped, and named with volunteer assistance. Fifteen planned releases across Canberra aim to total about 375 frogs. Habitat modifications include 60 frog spas and 180 frog saunas to create thermal refuges for unvaccinated offspring. The saunas are perspex pyramids over black-painted bricks intended to reach temperatures lethal to the chytrid fungi, which struggle above about 25°C.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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