Special 'frog beaches' to support the endangered Growling Grass Frog will be created at La Trobe's Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary as part of a long-term rewilding effort to become a haven for native animals and enable the reintroduction of threatened species in Melbourne's north.
The Sanctuary is part of a living, biodiverse waterway that connects La Trobe University with Darebin Creek and beyond. This unique education facility consists of a 30-hectare open-range sanctuary for indigenous species of flora and fauna that existed in the area prior to European settlement.
One such vulnerable species is the Growling Grass Frog. Affectionately called Growlers, these frogs have a call like a revving motorbike and are a vital part of the wetland ecosystem. Sanctuary staff and researchers are using proven conservation methods to restore the Growlers' native habitat and reintroduce the frogs back to the Darebin area.
In early 2026, the Sanctuary is preparing to launch Stage One of the Growling Grass Frog Reintroduction Project, supported by Frogs Victoria President and La Trobe alumnus David De Angelis.
The work being done by David and others builds on groundbreaking research by La Trobe alumnus Dr Geoff Heard, whose studies into the ecology and conservation of the Growling Grass Frog have informed recovery efforts across Victoria. Today, David brings that science to life as an environmental educator, inspiring students and the community to protect species like the Growling Grass Frog.
"To welcome Growlers back to Nangak Tamboree, we need to create rocky 'frog beaches' — warm, sunlit spaces that support the frog's survival," says David. We'll also plant a rich mix of native aquatic vegetation to support breeding and provide safe shelter, while expanding disease monitoring programs to protect the health of every frog reintroduced to the wetlands."
The protected environment of the Sanctuary enables the Growling Grass Frog to better survive with the amphibian chytrid fungus, which causes an infectious and deadly disease in frogs worldwide.
"These are the first crucial steps in a long-term rewilding effort that will offer a haven for native animals and strengthen biodiversity in Melbourne's north. This project will benefit more than frogs. It's a first step toward reintroducing other threatened species, including the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and the Fat-tailed Dunnart."
This project has involved months of careful planning in consultation with conservation experts and authorities.
"We know that translocations for threatened species outside of well-managed and approved conservation programs have the potential to be damaging. For example, through transmitting pathogens or released animals preying or outcompeting other threatened species in an area. This is why we've taken such care with this project."
Protected under a Trust for Nature Covenant, the Sanctuary is reinforced with a predator-proof fence – excluding exclude a range of pest species that can harm indigenous species. Alongside the expertise of Sanctuary researchers and staff, this ensures that these animals will have a safe and secure habitat for years to come.
This project has the potential to make a real impact. To learn how you can support, visit: https://advancement.latrobe.edu.au/giving/wildlife-giving
