A Bundaberg wildlife carer is calling on the community to keep an eye out for sick frogs and help to create healthy habitats for the amphibians to thrive in.
Christine Wynne of Queensland Wildlife Carers said she had recently been nursing sick frogs back to health due to a large number of the animals becoming impacted by illness.
“Researchers believe it could be Chytrid Fungus which is affecting frogs all along the East Coast,” she said.
“Green tree frogs seem to be the main species affected.”
According to the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, the fungus is capable of causing sporadic deaths in some amphibian populations and 100 per cent mortality in others.
The disease has been implicated in species extinctions of frogs since the 1990s.
Christine said a sick frog would look very different to that of a healthy one, with plenty of signs to look out for.
“Sick frogs will be very thin, dehydrated and have brown patches,” she said.
“They will be unable to hop and will have a frothy mucous covering their body.
“If you come across a sick frog call Queensland Wildlife Carers on 4159 6431 or 0439 502 228.”
For those wanting to make sure their gardens were in top condition for frog friends, Christine said there were multiple ways to create a healthy environment.
“Firstly, do not use poisonous insecticides in the garden,” she said.
“Frogs are the first animals to respond to any kind of change in the environment such as pollution or climate change.
“Create habitat which includes frog ponds or frog motels.
“Tadpoles help to keep ponds and waterways clean, as they feed on Algae and frogs consume enormous amounts of insects including pest species.”
Other stories: Possum boxes built by young people help wildlife
