SA: Volunteers needed for frog count

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
SA: Volunteers needed for frog count

ADELAIDE, Aug 18 AAP - Up to 1,000 South Australians were needed to take part in the annual
frog census, Environment Minister Dorothy Kotz said today.

Mrs Kotz said as well as serving as a check on the number of frog species still found in
SA, the exercise provided a useful snapshot on the environmental status of lakes and
waterways.

"Frogs are known for their sensitivity to pollution and habitat degradation," she said in a
statement.

"They need a healthy environment in which to complete their life cycle from egg to tadpole
to adult frog."

The frog census involved people taking tape recordings of frog calls which were then
examined by experts to determine which species they were from.

Details about the site and the water quality were also recorded.

Mrs Kotz said last year 652 volunteers took part in the census, which identified 19 frog
species and provided the government with information on where work was needed to improve water
quality.

AAP tjd/kr

KEYWORD: FROGS

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