Editing Corroboree frog (section)

==Conservation status==
[[File:Southern corroboree frog breeding facility 01 Taronga 2020-03-13.jpg|thumb|Southern corroboree frog in a breeding facility at [[Taronga Zoo]] ]]

The southern corroboree frog was considered relatively numerous within its very small distribution in the 1970s, as of June 2004 it had an estimated adult population of 64, but suffered declines of up to 80% over the 10 years up to 1989, at which time it was found only within a fragmented region of less than {{cvt|10|km2}} within Kosciuszko National Park.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Osborne |first1=W. S. |title=Distribution, Relative Abundance and Conservation Status of Corroboree Frogs, ''Pseudophrne corroboree'' Moore (Anura, Myobatrachidae) |journal=Australian Wildlife Research |date=1989 |volume=16 |issue=5 |pages=537–547 |doi=10.1071/WR9890537|bibcode=1989WildR..16..537O }}</ref> It has been listed as critically endangered since at least 2004 and is considered to be one of Australia's most endangered species.<ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author=Jean-Marc Hero |author2=Graeme Gillespie |author3=Peter Robertson |author4=Frank Lemckert |year=2004 |title=''Pseudophryne corroboree'' |volume=2004 |page=e.T18582A8484537 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T18582A8484537.en |access-date=26 April 2023}}</ref> There are fewer than 30 individuals left in the wild {{as of|lc=yes|March 2022}}.<ref name="Proust 2022">{{cite web | last=Proust | first=Keira | title=Critically endangered southern corroboree frog conservation efforts ramp up | website=ABC News| publisher= [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date=14 March 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-14/southern-corroboree-frogs-released-in-kosciuszko-national-park/100906238 | access-date=25 March 2022}}</ref>

The northern corroboree frog has not suffered as badly as the southern. It is more widely distributed across about {{cvt|550|km2}} of the Brindabella and Fiery Ranges in [[Namadgi National Park]] in the ACT, and [[Kosciuszko National Park]] and [[Buccleuch State Forest]] in NSW. In 2004 it was downgraded from an IUCN assessment of critically endangered to endangered, though in 2022 this decision was reverted .<ref name=IUCN2>{{cite iucn |author=Jean-Marc Hero |author2=Graeme Gillespie |author3=Peter Robertson |author4=Frank Lemckert |author5=Murray Littlejohn |year=2004 |title=''Pseudophryne pengilleyi'' |volume=2004 |page=e.T41050A10394348 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T41050A10394348.en |access-date=26 April 2023}}</ref>

===Cause for decline===
The main threats to the survival of the frogs are thought to be infection with the [[chytrid]] fungus and [[bushfire]]s.<ref name="Proust 2022"/>

Severe [[bushfires]] in the Victorian and NSW high country in January 2003 destroyed much of the frogs' remaining habitat, especially the breeding sites and the leaf litter that insulates overwintering adults. The fire affected almost all southern corroboree frog habitat, although later surveys showed that the fire resulted in a lower than expected decline in population.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Worboys |first=Graeme |date=1 August 2003 |title=A Brief Report on the 2003 Australian Alps Bushfires |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/0276-4741(2003)023[0294:abrota]2.0.co;2 |journal=Mountain Research and Development |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=294–295 |doi=10.1659/0276-4741(2003)023[0294:abrota]2.0.co;2 |issn=0276-4741}}</ref>

The [[2019–2020 bushfires in Australia]] destroyed a significant portion of Kosciusko National Park, and killed two-thirds of the southern corroboree frogs contained in specially designed disease-free enclosures built by conservationists.<ref name="Proust 2022"/>

Other threats to the southern species include residential and commercial development (including [[ski resort]]s); [[climate change]] (causing [[drought]] and fires); and [[pollution]].<ref name=IUCN/>

Other causes such as [[habitat destruction]] from recreational [[4WD]] use; [[Invasive species in Australia|feral animals]]; degradation of the frogs' habitat; and increased UV radiation flowing from [[ozone layer]] depletion.{{fact|date=May 2022}} The drought affects these frogs by drying out their breeding sites so that the breeding cycle, which is triggered by seasonal changes and may require moistening of the bogs in autumn and spring to bring on specific developmental events, is delayed. This may mean that tadpoles have not [[metamorphosis (biology)|metamorphosed]] by late summer when their bogs dry out, and so perish.{{cn|date=March 2022}}

===Conservation efforts===
The Amphibian Research Centre had already begun a rescue programme under which eggs were collected and raised to late tadpole stage before return as close as possible to their collection site.  Research is now under way into [[captive breeding]] and on which life cycle stage – eggs, tadpoles or adults – promises the best chance of survival following return to the wild.  The national parks authorities in the ACT, NSW and [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] have developed conservation programmes, including a captive [[husbandry]] programme at [[Tidbinbilla]], ACT; [[Taronga Zoo]] in Sydney; and at [[Healesville Sanctuary]], by [[Zoos Victoria]].{{cn|date=March 2022}}

Conservationists have stepped up efforts to increase the population of the southern corroboree frog since the 2019–20 bushfires. In March 2022, 100 frogs were released into the park as part of a joint breeding program between Taronga Zoo, Zoos Victoria, the [[NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service]] and the [[NSW Government]]'s "Saving our Species" program. At this time there are five enclosures for the frogs, with the newest one built to better withstand the effect of fire.<ref name="Proust 2022"/>