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Biodiversity conservation 

Preserving genetic diversity

From the enormous living network of the Great Barrier Reef to Australia’s most threatened frog species, Taronga’s scientists are working to preserve genetic diversity to safeguard wildlife and their habitats into the future, and promote species adaptability and ecosystem resilience.

Biodiversity under threat

73%

of threatened and near‑threatened species in Australia declined between 1985 and 2021.

70-90% 

of corals in Australia will vanish with an ocean temperature increase of 1.5°C.

The Little Penguin population in Manly 

is the only mainland breeding colony in NSW and is listed as an endangered population.

97%

of threatened Australian amphibian species declined in abundance between 1985 and 2021.

~6,788 black rhinos 

exist in the wild today. Dubbo runs the largest breeding program outside Africa.

73%

of threatened and near‑threatened species in Australia declined between 1985 and 2021.

70-90% 

of corals in Australia will vanish with an ocean temperature increase of 1.5°C.

The Little Penguin population in Manly 

is the only mainland breeding colony in NSW and is listed as an endangered population.

97%

of threatened Australian amphibian species declined in abundance between 1985 and 2021.

~6,788 black rhinos 

exist in the wild today. Dubbo runs the largest breeding program outside Africa.

Biodiversity conservation programs

Our impact

Reef restoration 

The world-first deployment of coral larvae produced from cryopreserved sperm in November 2024 resulted in coral recruits being found on 44% of settlement devices three months later.

Frog recovery

Frog sperm are being cryopreserved from our breed-for-release programs, ensuring populations remain genetically diverse and adaptive to the environmental stressors that continue to drive declines. 

Amphibian IVF

Similar to that used in humans, Taronga’s scientists have successfully induced sperm-release in critically endangered Booroolong Frogs using assisted reproductive techniques - aka Frog IVF!   

Little Penguin population genetics

Taronga scientists monitor wild breeding colonies along the NSW coast, studying genetics and foraging to understand threats to Little Penguins.

Reef restoration 

The world-first deployment of coral larvae produced from cryopreserved sperm in November 2024 resulted in coral recruits being found on 44% of settlement devices three months later.

Frog recovery

Frog sperm are being cryopreserved from our breed-for-release programs, ensuring populations remain genetically diverse and adaptive to the environmental stressors that continue to drive declines. 

Amphibian IVF

Similar to that used in humans, Taronga’s scientists have successfully induced sperm-release in critically endangered Booroolong Frogs using assisted reproductive techniques - aka Frog IVF!   

Little Penguin population genetics

Taronga scientists monitor wild breeding colonies along the NSW coast, studying genetics and foraging to understand threats to Little Penguins.

Reef Resilience Program

Taronga is the leading organisation in Australia applying cryopreservation technologies to reef management, research and conservation.

Find out more
With over 85 species represented, Taronga’s CryoDiversity Bank is now one of the largest wildlife biobanks of living cells in Australia. 
 
Scientists use the data to make critical conservation strategies and decisions to ensure the future of critically endangered species including protecting the future of one of last remaining megaherbivores on earth, the Black Rhinoceros and the coral reefs across the Great Barrier Reef.

Dr Justine O’Brien

Conservation Science Manager

Taronga Conservation Society Australia

Conservation stories