Supporting the Northern Corroboree Frog

At Corroboree Athletics, we’re proud to support one of the ACT’s most unique and endangered native species — the Northern Corroboree Frog.

Our club shares its name with this remarkable little frog, and since the 2017–18 season we have been raising funds each year to support conservation efforts helping ensure its survival.

The idea to support our namesake frog was first suggested by Corroboree Athletics Life Member David Boshier, and it has since become a much-loved tradition within the club.

Each season we dedicate one meet as Corroboree Frog Day, where proceeds from our BBQ are donated to support frog conservation programs.

About the Northern Corroboree Frog

The Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) is a small but striking frog native to the mountain wetlands of the ACT and southern NSW.

It is easily recognised by its bold black and yellow stripes, making it one of Australia’s most distinctive amphibians.

Unfortunately, the Northern Corroboree Frog is listed as critically endangered. Wild populations have declined dramatically over the past few decades due to several threats including:

• Chytrid fungus, a disease that affects amphibians worldwide
• Climate change, impacting the fragile alpine and sub-alpine wetlands where they breed
• Habitat disturbance and loss
• Small and isolated populations, making recovery more difficult

Today, the species survives mainly through intensive conservation programs designed to rebuild wild populations.

The Tidbinbilla breeding program

Funds raised by Corroboree Athletics are donated to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve breeding program, which plays a crucial role in protecting the species.

Tidbinbilla houses the largest captive breeding population of the Northern Corroboree Frog, helping safeguard the species while conservationists work to rebuild wild populations.

The program involves:

• Maintaining captive breeding populations
• Raising froglets for release into protected habitats
• Monitoring wild populations and habitat health
• Research into disease management and long-term recovery strategies

Every year, frogs bred at Tidbinbilla are released back into carefully managed habitats to help rebuild populations in the wild.

You can learn more about the program by visiting Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

Corroboree Frog Day

Each season our club runs a Corroboree Frog Meet, where we raise funds through BBQ sales and other activities.

It has become a fun and meaningful tradition that connects our club community with the conservation of our namesake frog.

Activities include:

• A BBQ with proceeds donated to frog conservation
• Frog-themed dress-ups
• Fun activities like the “Big Hop” which has hundreds of athletes doing a standing frog leap at the same time
• Opportunities to learn about the frog and the conservation program

Funds raised by Corroboree Athletics

Thanks to the generosity of our athletes and families, Corroboree Athletics has raised a total of $7,024.87 for Northern Corroboree Frog conservation since the 2017–18 season.