News

Growling grass frogs return to the wild at Winton Wetlands

By Andy Wilson

Mar 24, 2023

The growling grass frog is a unique species because it preys on other frogs, creating a more complex food web. The Winton Wetlands will begin a five-year 're-wilding' program from late spring this year by releasing thousands of young adults.

Conservationists will be returning a locally extinct species of frog to the Winton Wetlands from this spring as part of a program to restore the area’s ecosystem.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The growling grass frog Litoria raniformis was once common in most wetlands but is now considered a vulnerable species in Victoria.

The Winton Wetlands Committee of Management is coordinating the ‘re-wilding’ of the species in conjunction with the Yorta Yorta community.

The committee has collaborated with 50 experts from six research and conservation bodies and three catchment authorities.

Restoration and research manager Lisa Farnsworth said the return of the frog could be the beginning of re-wilding it and other species elsewhere.

“The implications are going to be region-wide if we are going to get it to roll the way we are hoping,” Dr Farnsworth said.

“It is exciting in the sense that it is a bit unique.”

The process of returning the frogs began after a 2016 science forum established the feasibility of the project as part of the wetlands’ overall restoration program.

Surveys and audio recordings confirmed the absence of the species and assessment of the habitat’s suitability has been made.

The growling grass frog plays a significant role in wetland food chains as both predators of insects and other frogs and as a food source for several wetland bird species.

“The species is particularly different because they prey on other frogs which is not common with frogs,” Dr Farnsworth said.

“And the more complex the relationships that it has, then the more complicated the food web becomes.

“This will potentially change the balance of the overall frog population in the area.”

The project has taken five years of quarantining in order to release the frogs safely.

“It’s then a further five-year prospect as we will be having multiple releases, about one or two a year, for the next five years,” Dr Farnsworth said.

The frogs will be released as young adults.

Growling grass frogs are considered an iconic species due to their large size, bright green colour and deep growling call.

Investigation, planning and preparation for the re-wilding has been extensive and required approvals at both state and federal levels.

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek gave final approval for the release of the species in February.

For more Information about community contribution to the project, visit: wintonwetlands.org.au