Fifty tiny frogs released into the wild in eastern Victoria are not just carrying radio transmitters on their backs, but the hopes of their species as well.
The Baw Baw frog is the only frog that is endemic to Victoria, but its numbers have dwindled to the point where it is now critically endangered.
Fewer than 1,000 of the frogs live in the wild, in a small area of the high-altitude Baw Baw Plateau.
Zoos Victoria scientists are willing to try anything to prevent the frog from vanishing, including fitting the radio transmitters to them to track their movement.
The transmitters have been fitted to 25 male and 25 female adult frogs, which were bred at Melbourne Zoo.
Threatened species biologist Deon Gilbert is hopeful the experimental move will pay dividends.
"They are being released at carefully chosen sites here on Mount Baw Baw," he said.
"We know amphibians can adapt well and I am hopeful that these frogs will survive in the wild and, given that they are already adults, it would be amazing if we are able to hear frogs calling at the breeding sites next year."
The Baw Baw frog's alpine environment is highly susceptible to climate change, but that is not the only reason the frog is facing extinction.
Chytrid Fungus, which can be transferred by direct contact between frogs, or through infected water, has also devastated the only known population of the frog.
Zoos Victoria's team has been rearing Baw Baw frogs since 2011, but this is the first time adult frogs have been released into the wild.
"If this adult release is successful, we may be able to establish wild populations faster than if we were releasing eggs alone," Mr Gilbert said.
"This could give us two really strong strategies to establish new and robust frog populations in the wild."
