Peabody’s Metropolitan Mine has contributed $220,000 to a breed-to-release program to help reintroduce the endangered Southern Stuttering Frog into the Royal National Park and across the Illawarra region.
These frogs are believed to have been geographically extinct in the national park for over 15 years and once thrived in coastal areas of NSW, but their population declined primarily due to the highly contagious chytrid fungus.
Purpose built breeding facilities have now been established at Symbio Wildlife Park’s headquarters in Helensburgh, where an extensive program aims to reverse the decline of the species and carefully select the best release points.
James Hannigan, General Manager of Peabody’s Metropolitan Mine said the mine was proud to contribute to a conservation program that could see this special frog once again make its home in the Royal National Park.
“All of us at Metropolitan Mine understand how important it is to protect the environment we live in and we’ve been contributing to environmental programs in our local community for over a decade.
“Symbio Wildlife Park makes a tangible impact on the local biodiversity and its breed-to-release program will deliver positive and lasting environmental outcomes for the region.”
Conservation Manager at Symbio Wildlife Park Jarrad Prangell said, “This partnership is such great news for the Southern Stuttering Frog and the ecosystem because healthy frog populations are vital for the success of many other species.
“Thank you to Peabody’s Metropolitan Mine for its generous contribution and look forward to working with them and the local community to improve biodiversity in the national park and the Illawarra region.”
Students from Helensburgh schools, including Holy Cross Catholic Parish Primary School, will participate in the project by growing vegetables like endives in the school garden as feedstock for frogs.
The release of Southern Stuttering Frogs into the Royal National Park is planned for later this year. Following the release, a comprehensive monitoring program will closely observe the frogs to ensure they adapt to the area.
