Record release leaps Booroolong Frog back from the brink 

This significant release marks the next phase of a recovery strategy that began after catastrophic declines during the 2017 to 2019 drought, when the species almost vanished from northern NSW. 

During that drought, ecologist Phil Spark noticed many streams across the Northwest Slopes dried completely and only a handful of frogs remained in the region. Under emergency conditions, NSW Government’s Saving our Species Program, with partners Taronga Conservation Society Australia, established an insurance population and purpose-built conservation facility at Taronga Zoo Sydney to prevent the species from disappearing entirely. Since then, the three partners have worked together to supplement, rewild and rebuild the population.  

This latest release builds on the success of an ongoing trial reintroduction site, where 638 frogs were released in 2023, 656 in 2024 and 257 in 2025. Monitoring has confirmed that released frogs are not only surviving but also breeding at the site, providing strong evidence that the recovery strategy is working. With this proven success, the program is now expanding to additional sites to further strengthen wild populations. 

“Only a few years ago we were at risk of losing this species entirely from northern NSW. To now be releasing 1,200 healthy frogs into a new site is huge progress. The fact that Taronga-bred frogs previously released are breeding at the trial site gives us the confidence to expand into new locations and accelerate recovery,” said Michael McFadden, Wildlife Conservation Officer at Taronga Conservation Society Australia. 

The Booroolong Frog remains endangered and persists today in only a small number of fragmented populations in the north of its range. Here, it is found in just a few streams near Tamworth and one site near Glen Innes, reflecting how restricted the species has become.  

“Booroolong Frogs face multiple threats including habitat modification, weed invasion, sedimentation and drought. Their dependence on permanent, year-round streams means even short periods of drought can wipe out entire populations,” said David Coote, Senior Team Leader Ecosystems and Threatened Species at Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).  

This year’s release demonstrates the power of sustained collaboration, when science, long-term monitoring and committed partners come together. The record number of endangered Booroolong Frogs being released in new sites is a direct result of the partnership between Taronga, DCCEEW, ecologist Phil Spark and private landholders.  

Monitoring of the newly released 1,200 frogs will begin in the coming weeks to track survival, movement and breeding success across the expanded release network. Every croak counts in the fight for recovery.