For the first time in almost 50 years, the distinctive call of the Green and golden bell frog may once again be heard across wetlands in the Australian Capital Territory, following the release of captive-bred frogs as part of an innovative research and conservation program.
Led by the University of Canberra, the project has successfully returned the species to the region after it disappeared locally in the 1980s. The milestone marks an important step forward not only for this iconic amphibian, but also for the global fight against the devastating amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus.
Chytrid has had catastrophic impacts on amphibians worldwide, affecting more than 500 frog species. In Australia alone, over 40 species have been impacted, with seven believed to have already gone extinct.
Innovative Science to Help Frogs Co-exist with Disease
The release forms part of a four-year research project led by Associate Professor Simon Clulow and Professor Richard Duncan from the University of Canberra’s Centre for Conservation, Ecology and Genomics (CCEG), alongside Senior Lecturer Ben Scheele from the Australian National University.
Twenty-five frogs were released at Mawson Pond as part of the first stage of the program.
“Chytrid is very pervasive and can’t be removed from the environment, so we needed to find a way for frogs to co-exist where the fungus is present,” Associate Professor Clulow explained.
To address this challenge, the research team developed a series of innovative habitat interventions designed to create conditions that favour frogs but inhibit the fungus.
These include specially designed “frog saunas”, Perspex pyramid domes placed over stacks of bricks that create warm microclimates within wetlands. These warmer refuges help the frogs regulate their body temperature while creating conditions less suitable for the fungus.
The wetlands also include salted satellite ponds that help suppress chytrid, as well as carefully engineered earth bunds to prevent invasive mosquitofish from reaching frogspawn.
The Role of Captive Breeding
A critical component of the project has been captive breeding and preparation for release.
Frogs were bred in controlled environments at the University of Canberra and Symbio Wildlife Park alongside Symbio Conservation Foundation, where they were also immunised against chytrid before being released into wetlands equipped with the new habitat structures.
The long-term aim is for these habitat interventions to support future generations of frogs that will not require immunisation, allowing wild populations to establish and persist.Further releases are planned across 15 wetlands in the ACT throughout February and the following months.
Collaboration Driving Conservation Outcomes
The project highlights the importance of collaboration between research institutions, conservation organisations, government agencies and the community.
Partners include the ACT Government, the NSW Saving Our Species program under the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the ACT Healthy Waterways Program, FrogWatch ACT, ACT Waterwatch, Symbio Conservation Foundation and Symbio Wildlife Park.
Citizen scientists and volunteers also played an important role in installing habitat structures and supporting monitoring efforts.
Following the release, researchers will monitor the frogs using acoustic recording devices placed around the wetlands. These “song meters” record sound for several minutes every hour, allowing scientists to detect when male frogs begin calling, a key indicator that the population is establishing.
A Positive Step for Amphibian Conservation
The project has received close to $1 million in funding through an ARC Discovery Project grant, alongside support from the ACT Government.
For many local community members, the return of the green and golden bell frog is deeply meaningful.Some residents attending the release event shared memories of hearing the frog’s distinctive call during childhood, a sound absent from the region for nearly half a century.
As monitoring continues and additional frogs are released, conservationists hope the wetlands of the ACT will once again provide a secure home for this charismatic species.
Through science-based conservation, collaborative partnerships and community engagement, this project represents an encouraging step forward in the global effort to protect amphibians from one of the most serious wildlife diseases ever recorded.
March 13, 2026
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