Southern Corroboree Frog

Because of its bright yellow and black stripes, the Critically Endangered Southern Corroboree Frog, Pseudophryne corroboree, is one of Australia’s best known frog species. 

The Southern Corroboree Frog is at risk of extinction in the wild because of Chytridiomycosis – a disease caused by infection with Amphibian Chytrid Fungus.  There are probably less than 100 individuals left in the wild. 

Captive breeding is the only way to maintain genetic variation and prevent complete extinction of this frog species.  Zoos Victoria has been developing successful captive breeding techniques for the Southern Corroboree Frog since 2001 - an important contribution to the national Recovery Program.

The Southern Corroboree Frog only occurs in montane and alpine environments in Kosciusko National Park, and is under threat from disease and climate change.  A national Recovery Plan has been developed for this species.

Zoos Victoria’s key roles in the Southern Corroboree Frog Recovery Program include:

• Maintaining an insurance population in captivity
• Supplementing wild populations through captive breeding for reintroduction
• Assisting with population monitoring
• Undertaking research into the role of chytrid fungus in amphibian population declines
• Increasing community awareness and support for the Southern Corroboree Frog

Plans and publications

 Download a comprehensive overview of what Zoos Victoria is doing to save the Southern Corroboree Frog (434 KB)

DSEWPC (2010). Pseudophryne corroboree in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) National Recovery Plan for the Southern Corroboree Frog (Psueudophryne corroboree). NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.  

Hunter, D., Osborne, W., Marantelli, G. and Green, K. (1999).  Implementation of a population augmentation project for remnant populations of the Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree). Pp 158-167 in Declines and Disappearances of Australian Frogs ed by A. Campbell. Environment Australia: Canberra.

Osborne W.S. (1989). Distribution, relative abundance and conservation status of Corroboree Frogs Pseudophryne corroboree Moore (Anura: Myobatrachidae). Australian Wildlife Research 6:537-547.

Osborne W.S. and Norman (1991). Conservation genetics of Corroboree Frogs, Pseudophryne corroboree: population subdivision and genetic divergence.  Aust. J. Zool. 39:285-297.

Osborne W. S., Zentelis R. A. and Lau, M. (1996) Geographical Variation in Corroboree Frogs, Pseudophryne corroboree Moore (Anura: Myobatrachidae): A Reappraisal Supports Recognition of P. pengilleyi Wells and Wellington. Australian Journal of Zoology. 569-587.