AssetID: 55237438
Headline: Australia celebrates first successful breeding of endangered Southern Stuttering Frog
Caption: An Australian conservation organisation is celebrating a remarkable milestone — its very first successful breeding of the endangered Southern Stuttering Frog, with hundreds of eggs transforming into lively tadpoles over the past month. The Southern Stuttering Frog is one of two endangered amphibian species included in Aussie Ark’s renowned breeding and rewilding program. The frogs are safely housed in specialised aquaria at the Conservation Ark facility, located within the grounds of the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, NSW. Until now, Aussie Ark had only observed courtship and spawning behaviour, but previous breeding attempts failed as the eggs proved infertile. So, when a female laid eggs last month, the team endured an anxious wait. Fertilisation in this species occurs externally and was not observed — meaning success was uncertain. Rangers at Conservation Ark monitored the eggs around the clock, maintaining ideal climatic conditions to replicate the frogs’ natural habitat, and hoping for the best. Their patience was rewarded when the eggs began to change texture and colour, revealing tiny developing tadpoles inside. After a week of incubation, the eggs hatched over several days, filling the aquaria with hundreds of miniature swimmers. Kaitlin Murphy, Conservation Ark Ranger and program lead, expressed her excitement and commitment to the project. “The Southern Stuttering Frog takes a long time to morph from tadpole to frog; between 9-18 months depending on environmental conditions,” Ms Murphy said. “So in total, I’ll be caring for these little guys for almost two years. It will be a privilege!” Native to Australia’s east coast from Queensland to northeastern Victoria, the Southern Stuttering Frog is facing severe population decline due to habitat loss and the deadly chytrid fungus, which continues to devastate frog species worldwide. The tadpoles bred at Conservation Ark will contribute to building chytrid-resistant populations, offering renewed hope for the future of this critically threatened species.
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