Whats Killing Frogs in Cairns?
Although Cairns is located in a tropical climate and is not far from World Heritage protected rainforests, Cairns itself is rather inhospitable to amphibians. While there are isolated pockets where frogs can still do well (for example, some streets backing onto bush and much of Division One south of Gordonvale), overall, frogs in Cairns are going ‘down the tubes’. There are so many reasons why which are listed below: • habitat loss for development, particularly medium and high density residential • modified habitats, particularly the undergrounding and cementing of creeks to create run-off drains • so-called ‘hazard reduction burning’ and deliberate arson of parks, reserves and surrounding hillslopes • a large population of introduced predatory animals (dogs and cats) • insufficient permanent, clean freshwater sources • disease which is being aggravated by environmental stress • the use of pesticides and herbicides, especially near and in waterways • climate change and drought • road k
