The Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea was considered a common frog in New South Wales about 20-30 years ago but it has suffered a major contraction in geographic range and a decline in abundance, indicating it is vulnerable to extinction. It is presently listed as Threatened in New South Wales where protection by the Endangered Fauna (Interim Protection) Act 1991 (now the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995) has required surveys of its distribution and abundance and some research in order to prepare management plans for development sites that it occupies. Its listing in New South Wales has stimulated other research and monitoring that are not related to development consent. Given its threatened status in New South Wales where the majority of its historic range occurs, it is deserving of protection by the Australian Endangered Species Protection Act 1992. This paper presents a preliminary recovery plan that directs further research and describes a strategy for managing populations of the species. This strategy requires conservation of several L. aurea populations in each region throughout its geographic range. This recognizes the importance of maintaining any existing genetic diversity that may be present among populations but also recognizes the need for several viable populations within a region to minimize the threat of catastrophes extinguishing the small populations that are now characteristic of L. aurea.

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