Story: Frogs

Maud Island frog

Maud Island frog

A good population of frogs was found on Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds in the 1940s. It was considered the same species as Hamilton’s frog (on nearby Stephen’s Island) until a study in 1998 found enough genetic difference to declare it a separate species. Maud Island and Hamilton’s frogs are difficult to tell apart without knowing which island they are from. Since the 1990s a few frogs of each species have been moved to new predator-free sites to establish back-up populations.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10031121
Photograph by D. Garrick

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How to cite this page:

Paddy Ryan, 'Frogs - Native frogs', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9992/maud-island-frog (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 24 Sep 2007