Help or I'll croak
By:Rebecca Baker
| January-10-2012
Give these critters a fighting chance at survival against the cane toad in the Kimberley this year!
Photo: Daniel O'Brien/ Magnificent tree frog
Help save species in the Kimberley like the magnificent tree frog and DONATE NOW
STRETCHING OVER 12CM, the magnificent tree frog is not just any old frog. Endemic to the Kimberley, it has a gland covering the entire surface of its head like a crown, and a bright green body with scattered white or yellow spots. The inner surfaces of its limbs and groin are a spectacular bright orange.
Along with other beautiful native species like quolls, snakes and lizards, populations of this frog are likely to be decimated as cane toads spread through the Kimberley.
They will not only have to compete for food and habitat, but many frogs are likely to be killed by ingesting cane toad toxin.
Poisonous cane toads officially moved into the eastern Kimberley from the NT three years ago and are already having an impact on the Kimberley's monitor lizards, scientists expect the toads to effect other species as well.
The east Kimberley boasts 10 species of monitor - the largest number of predatory reptile species found coexisting in the same locale in the world.
"The Kimberley is one of the last true frontiers not only in Australia but in the world, it's got some truly magnificent animals that occur nowhere else on earth and it's really important that we protect it," amphibian ecologist and AGS expedition scientist Simon Clulow from the University of Newcastle says.
More than 200 species of Kimberley plants and animals were identified, recorded, tagged and studied during the 2011 AG Society scientific expedition.
In April, a team of Australian Geographic-supported scientists will set out to continue their Kimberley research in order to hone conservation efforts for native species such as the magnificent tree frog.
Help us continue our essential work in the Kimberley this year and DONATE NOW
Attend an Australian Geographic Society Expedition
About the Australian Geographic Society
Contact the AGS on society@ausgeo.com