A volunteer researcher, Mr. Brendan Casey, has recorded multiple call events of the Giant Burrowing Frog, Heleioporus australiacus, on private land near the Fingerboards at Glenaladale.
The Giant Burrowing frog has the status of being vulnerable to extinction within the federal Environment Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.
The Fingerboards is the site of the proposed Kalbar mineral sands mine which will cover over 2000 hectares of private and public land.
Mr. Casey stated “A population of Giant Burrowing Frogs at Glenaladale is now confirmed at the Fingerboards location and Kalbar does not consider the species exists within the proposed mine area, which includes all of the Fingerboards.”
In May 2020 Mr. Casey recorded the calls of the Giant Burrowing frog at Stoney Creek (near the Mitchell River National Park) which is less than 10 kms from the proposed mine area. Having developed an interest in the species in the area, he reviewed the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) to see the method used to determine if the frog was present in the area.
Mr. Casey stated “I was interested in the methods used by the proponent to determine the occupancy status of the listed threatened species, but was disappointed that almost no effort was to made to try to find the frog.”
“This misleading account of threatened species status as described in the EES is difficult to understand considering the biodiversity crisis this country is currently undergoing.”
To address this failure of process, in October 2020, with the cooperation of landholders within the proposed mine area, a network of automated acoustic recorders were established, to determine the status of the Giant Burrowing Frog within the proposed mine project area.
On 6, 7 and 8 April 2021 the calls of the Giant Burrowing Frog were heard from one of the monitoring locations. He said that both his earlier research at Stoney Creek and the Fingerboards recordings were very significant as both sites were surrounded by cleared, grazing country.
Very little is known about the Giant Burrowing Frog’s ecology and distribution, and it has an advisory listing of critically endangered in Victoria.
In 2020 a Giant Burrowing Frog was accidentally disturbed in the vicinity of Moulin Creek, in Glenaladale by a farmer cutting firewood.
Mr. Casey said it was extremely important that long term monitoring for this very difficult to detect and highly cryptic species of frog be undertaken across the entire proposed mining and infrastructure site before the mine proceeds. Mr. Casey is seeking an explanation from the proponent as to why the species was able to be detected by an unfunded and unresourced volunteer and missed by an international mining company with deep pockets.
The findings of the acoustic monitoring research were presented to the Inquiry and Advisory Committee Panel at the EES Hearing for the Fingerboards Mineral Sands project.
We are aware of one other sighting so if you’re out at the Glen keep an eye and ear out for this little critter.
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/offtrack/giant-sound-from-a-giant-frog/8794474
Our family home and property of almost 48 years living in the earthy green and organic hills of Glenaladale, are very familiar to the existence of the giant borrowing frog. They appear more prevalent around night time with their calls echoing through the still night. Its striking appearance and love of wet woodlands nurtures its lifecycle. A beautiful species and very special to the area of Glenaladale. Please preserve and protect this unique and beautiful creature from any undue disturbance . Allow its continued existence in its own natural habitat..
PermalinkA case of “la,la,la, not listening” perhaps?
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