About the project
South West NRM is working to support the recovery of two critically endangered species threatened by climate change in Western Australia: the white-bellied frog (Anstisia alba) and western swamp tortoise (Pseudemydura umbrina).
Running between 2024 and 2028, the project focuses on protecting existing populations and establishing new populations in suitable habitat to improve the species’ resilience to a warming and drying climate.
Work includes monitoring existing populations, identifying and assessing potential translocation sites, protecting important habitat and supporting the translocation of animals from Perth Zoo’s Native Species Breeding Program.
This project is delivered in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Perth Zoo.
Why this project matters
The South West NRM region forms part of an internationally recognised ‘Global Biodiversity Hotspot’, one of 36 worldwide and just two in Australia. These are among the world’s most biologically rich yet threatened regions, home to many unique and endangered plants and animals.
The white-bellied frog and western swamp tortoise are both critically endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Protecting them also helps maintain healthy, functioning ecosystems, as the loss of a species can affect other plants, animals and their shared habitats.
Declining rainfall and rising temperatures are placing increasing pressure on the white-bellied frog and western swamp tortoise, both of which depend on specific habitat conditions to survive. As existing habitats become less suitable, conservation efforts must adapt. Carefully planned translocations offer an opportunity to establish populations in locations with conditions better suited to their long-term survival.
Both species are identified as priorities under the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan 2022–2032: Towards Zero Extinctions.
White-bellied frog
The white-bellied frog is found only in a small area in the lower South West corner of Western Australia, with its remaining populations occupying less than 2 km² of habitat! Growing to just 25 mm, this tiny frog depends on moisture in the soil and leaf litter of forest creek systems to survive and reproduce.
More than half of its known subpopulations have disappeared over recent decades. Declining rainfall and increasingly dry conditions are contributing to its vulnerability, while its extremely limited distribution increases the risk posed by further changes in habitat conditions.
Protecting remaining populations and establishing new ones in suitable locations are important steps towards reducing the risk of extinction.
Western swamp tortoise
The western swamp tortoise is one of the most critically endangered reptiles in the world. Growing to a shell length of just 15 cm and weighing around 500 g, it was once thought to be extinct. For many years, fewer than 50 individuals remained in the wild, but decades of conservation work by DBCA, Perth Zoo, researchers and community groups have helped increase the estimated population to around 300 across four locations.
Originally found just north of Perth, the western swamp tortoise has been the focus of efforts to establish populations further south since 2016. This has involved translocating tortoises bred at Perth Zoo into cooler habitat beyond their historical range, recognising that a warming and drying climate is one of the major threats to their survival.
Establishing and strengthening populations in cooler southern habitat is an important part of the species’ long-term recovery strategy.
What we're doing
The project combines population monitoring, habitat assessment, translocation and on-ground protection measures, with activities tailored to the different needs and recovery priorities of each species.
Western swamp tortoise
The project is supporting efforts to establish and strengthen western swamp tortoise populations in cooler southern habitat, beyond the species’ historical range.
Activities include:
- Assessing habitat conditions and identifying suitable locations for possible further tortoise releases
- Monitoring previously translocated tortoises to assess their survival, health and use of habitat
- Supporting the translocation of juvenile tortoises bred through Perth Zoo’s Native Species Breeding Program
- Using monitoring techniques, including radio tracking, to assess tortoise populations and inform future recovery actions
- Engaging Traditional Custodians, Aboriginal Rangers and other stakeholders in conservation and monitoring activities
White-bellied frog
The project is working to identify and assess suitable habitat for establishing new white-bellied frog populations, while monitoring and improving protection of existing populations.
Activities include:
- Identifying and assessing potential translocation sites through on-ground habitat surveys
- Undertaking acoustic surveys and population monitoring to better understand the distribution and status of existing frog populations
- Improving protection of important white-bellied frog habitat
- Working with DBCA and Perth Zoo towards the potential translocation of juvenile frogs from Perth Zoo’s Native Species Breeding Program, subject to suitable sites, environmental conditions and necessary approvals
- Engaging Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal Rangers in monitoring and conservation activities
South West NRM is also delivering a separate project with DBCA, trialling techniques to rehydrate a white-bellied frog habitat site and maintain moisture levels during dry conditions. Funded by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program, the trial is helping assess how rehydration may support frog habitat into the future.
Read more about the rehydration project.
Project updates
Resources
2025 How climate change is threatening iconic wildlife in Australia’s South West
2025 7News Regional WA Bulletin – Rescuing the western swamp tortoise
2025 RTRFM Interview with Dr. Manda Page
2025 Landscope Magazine: Tiny frog, big fight
2024 ABC South West Radio Interview with Dr. Manda Page
2024 ABC Perth Radio Interview with Dr. Manda Page
2024 ABC Online: Rare western swamp tortoise to be moved to WA’s South West in bid to keep species alive
2022 UWA: Bold Plan to find ‘Goldilocks’ wetlands for Western Swamp Tortoise
Project partners and funding
South West NRM is delivering the project in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Perth Zoo’s Native Species Breeding Program.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by South West NRM, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
