Have you seen a dead or dying frog lately?

According to experts, many dead frogs were found last winter across Australia, including on the Northern Beaches.

Thin and slow-moving frogs were spotted, with dark patches on their back or red bellies and they usually died within a matter of hours.

The fear is this may be happening again this winter.

Why are frogs dying?

According to the Australian Museum, it’s a murder mystery, yet to be solved.

The number one suspect is a fungus known as amphibian chytrid fungus. The fungus attacks the skin of frogs, which is their Achilles heel, as frogs use their skin to breathe and drink.

But as yet, researchers aren’t sure if the fungus is acting alone, or is even the primary cause of death.

Why should we care?

Australia has 247 known species of native frog, 40 of which are threatened with extinction, and at least four species are already extinct.

Frogs play an important role in the flow of energy and nutrients, and in food webs. In places where amphibians have declined, there is a ripple effect as animals that rely on frogs for food also start to disappear.

We need your help

To help researchers understand the scale and cause of frog deaths, please advise the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health of any sick or dead frogs (that have died within 24 hrs) on 0481 468 505, so they can coordinate transport and examination.

Sick frogs from the Sydney area can also be taken to Taronga Wildlife Hospital between 8am and 3pm daily.

Given that frogs can carry diseases, ensure you wear disposable gloves when handling each frog and use a clean plastic bag or cleanable container to transport them. For live frogs, ensure the bag is not airtight.

Please send information about dead frogs (with location and if possible, photos) to the national citizen science project FrogID (email: calls@frogid.net.au). Please include your location and, if possible, photos of the frog(s).

To help understand which frog species are likely to need the most help, you can download the free FrogID app and record calling frogs whenever you can. Every recording helps to better understand and conserve these precious amphibians.

Find out more about our threatened species including frogs.