Alert #21: serious bacteria on frog/toad skin

Sept. 14th, 2009: We are in the grips of a very dry season and are moving into an El Nino weather pattern which means a lot more dry weather (perhaps drought) ahead. Please ensure there are water containers in your yard for frogs and other wildlife. Also remember that some very nasty bacteria are turning up on frogs and toads skin so ALWAYS use gloves or a plastic bag over your hand to pick up these animals!

Alert #20: Chytrid comes to Cairns

April 11th, 2008: We have known that the dreaded chytrid fungus arrived two or three years ago in a couple of permanent creeks that come off the Atherton Tablelands (such as Crystal Cascades in Redlynch and the creek at the top of Bayview Heights) but we have had positive lab results from Brinsmead, Machans and an isolated pool in Bayview Heights. This situation is a reminder that anyone engaging in so called "frog monitoring" MUST use proper disinfection procedures.

Alert #19: Buyer Beware!

December 5th, 2007: For the past year or so, we have been receiving reports of frog keepers purchasing frogs from pet shops and breeders which turn out to be diseased. The seller almost always denies any problems and makes the buyer feel like they must be incompetent or just not providing proper care. However, we have investigated some of these reports and seen the photos of the animals involved. In most of these cases, the animals are clearly infected with a new virus we discovered up here in FNQ back in January 2003.

This problem has been openly moving around in the pet trade, especially in South Australia. There are some breeders in at least two states whose premises have now been contaminated with this virus and it is spreading amongst their captive bred offspring which are then sold off as healthy. We have credible reports of buyers in SA, VIC and now NSW and QLD purchasing frogs debilitated with this virus. Information about the problem - called "Redlynch" virus for the time being - is in this section of our site.

We strongly encourage people who want to purchase frogs to be extremely careful about making any purchases at this time - it would be preferable to not purchase at all until CSIRO finishes its work and proper testing can take place of suspected breeding stock. The frogs affected by this virus may not show clinical symptoms for a few months after metamorphosis so, by the time you discover that the frog(s) you bought are actually diseased, it is too late.

If you suspect that any of the frogs you have purchased in the past two years might have something wrong with them, please send us clear, well lit digital photos so we can assist. (details in our contacts page).