The Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea is a threatened species, having declined greatly in abundance throughout its range in recent decades. In 1994, Taronga Zoo, Sydney, established a captive population of bell frogs, after obtaining a small number of frogs from a suburban site planned for development. Our aim was to maintain and breed bell frogs in captivity and to provide progeny for release at suitable sites in order to establish new and self-sustaining populations. The program later expanded to include bell frogs from two other locations in New South Wales.
Successful breeding has been regularly achieved and fourth generation captive-bred individuals have been released. Approximately 20,000 tadpoles and metamorph frogs were provided for release at five sites between 1996 and 2004, although no new populations of bell frogs were established. Education has been another key component of this program at Taronga Zoo, with school and community groups actively involved in releases, monitoring and habitat restoration. One outcome of this component was the creation of an interactive CD-ROM, to provide an educational resource on frog conservation, that was distributed to schools and various community groups Australia-wide.
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) Burns, E.L. 2004. Phylogeography, population history and conservation genetics of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea). PhD Thesis, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
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Cogger, H. 1993. Faunal Impact Statement. Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea) occurring on property at the corner of Dalmeny Street and Kimberely Grove, Rosebery.
DEC 2005. Draft Recovery Plan for the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea). Department of Environment and Conservation NSW, Hurstville, NSW.
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Draft Recovery Plan for the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea)
Fanning, F.D. and White, A.W. 1994. The Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea. Management plan for the Rosebery population. Prepared in accordance with requirements of the Section 120 licence for the site. Gunninah Consultants.
Hobcroft, D. 1997a. Conservation program for the Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea at Taronga Zoo: A co-operative recovery plan. ASZK-ARAZPA Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Hobcroft, D. 1997b. Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea (Lesson 1829) Husbandry Manual. Taronga Zoo, Sydney.
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Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea (Lesson 1829) Husbandry Manual
Morgan, L.A. and Buttemer, W.A. 1996. Predation by the non-native fish Gambusia holbrooki on small Litoria aurea and L.dentata tadpoles. Australian Zoologist 30: 143-149.
Predation by the non-native fish Gambusia holbrooki on small Litoria aurea and L.dentata tadpoles
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) Penman, T.D. 1998. Natural factors affecting the early life stages of the Green and Golden Bell Frog, Litoria aurea: Lesson 1829. Honours Thesis, University of New South Wales, Sydney.
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Natural factors affecting the early life stages of the Green and Golden Bell Frog, Litoria aurea: Lesson 1829
Pyke, G.H. and White, A.W. 2001. A review of the biology of the Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea. Australian Zoologist 31: 563-598.
A review of the biology of the Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea
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) Pyke, G.H., Rowley, J., Shoulder, J. and White, A.W. 2008. Attempted Introduction of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog to Long Reef Golf Course: a step towards recovery? Australian Zoologist 34: 361-372.
Attempted Introduction of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog to Long Reef Golf Course: a step towards recovery?
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) Stuart, S.N, Chanson, J.S., Cox, N.A., Young, B.E., Rodrigues, A.S.L., Fischman, D.L, and Woller, R.W. 2004. Status and trends of amphibian declines and extinction worldwide. Science 306: 1783-1786.
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) van de Mortel, T. and Goldingay, R. 1998. Population assessment of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea at Port Kembla, NSW. Australian Zoologist 30: 398-404.
Population assessment of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea at Port Kembla, NSW
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) White, A.W. 1998. Management Plan. Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea. Marsh and Eve Street Wetland, Arncliffe. Prepared for the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority.
White, A.W. 2006. A trial using salt to protect Green and Golden Bell Frogs from chytrid infection. Herpetofauna 36: 93-96.
A trial using salt to protect Green and Golden Bell Frogs from chytrid infection
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