Central Auckland branch periodically awards financial support to students doing research work relevant to our conservation work. Our branch's latest award has gone to research on native frogs, and here's a write-up summary of the research http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/branches/central-auckland/awards/helping-our-frogs
Forest & Bird » Terrestrial
Helping our frogs
(7 posts)-
Posted 10 months ago #
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Thank you for promoting this programme Ann. I would like to see some nation-wide effort from the central government and the Ministry to promote environmental education. Lack of knowledge are the main reasons for the current state of our environment.
In New Zealand we have only four species of native frogs. The Archey's Frog and Hamilton's Frog are critically endangered. The Hochstetter's Frog and Maud Island Frog are categorised as vulnerable.
Herbicides and pesticides cause developmental abnormalities and fatalities and the widely used Roundup is extremely toxic to tadpoles and adult frogs.
Atrazine is another major herbicide used in New Zealand is to blame for the chemical castration of frogs and other animals.
Yet these and other chemicals are still widely used by NZ farmers, forestry and gardeners.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Ten named celebs are putting photos on Trade Me and proceeds go to conservation. One of the celebs is Lucy Lawless. Lawless said she chose to capture an image of a frog because the creatures were highly sensitive to water and forest health, and crucial barometers for our environment.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Is it stoats, rats, and cats that are eatting our frogs?
Posted 9 months ago # -
Chytrid fungus is also a serious threat to NZ frogs (and frogs worldwide) http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/frogs/5
Posted 9 months ago # -
The student's research is looking at the chytrid fungus and how us shifting tadpoles and frogs around is unwittinhgly spreading it. She hasn't mentioned what preys on frogs, but I'll ask her kukupa.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Hi kukupa Yes it is stoats, rats and cats eating our frogs. Other things that are making life tough for our frogs are loss of habitat, pollution and disease. We have chytrid fungus here in New Zealand already so it is really important we don't release frogs into the environment as this is one way it is spreading. Overseas there are many more lethal frog diseases so we need to be vigilant in making sure they do not arrive on our shores.
Posted 9 months ago #
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