The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) has reopened the Bool Lagoon to the public as investigations into the mysterious deaths of hundreds of frogs in the area continue.
The mass frog mortality event occurred at the lagoon last week, prompting the immediate closure of the popular nature park near Naracoorte.
While DEW has confirmed a suspected chytrid fungus outbreak in the area, it has cautioned the public to stay on paths and help reduce the potential spread of the disease.
“People should also clean their footwear after visiting the site by drying shoes or boots for a minimum of three hours or cleaning them with water and 1 percent bleach for a minimum of one minute,” DEW told this newspaper.
“Ideally, people should visit only one wetland site per day and follow the above decontamination advice. If you find more than five dead frogs, please email details to wildlife@sa.gov.au,” the DEW advised.
DEW Principal Ecologist Karl Hillyard told this newspaper that further investigations and tests were underway to determine the cause of the deaths.
When this newspaper visited the area on August 29, access to the lagoon was restricted, and roads and walking trails were closed as a biosecurity measure.
“It is estimated that hundreds of frogs, primarily southern bell frogs and striped marsh frogs, have died at the site, which is an unusual event,” Mr Hillyard said.
“The cause of the deaths are yet to be determined.
“National parks staff are regularly attending the site to monitor conditions, including the prevalence of dead frogs.”
He said a sample of dead frogs has been collected for laboratory testing, and the results are being analysed by department staff and frog experts.
“Our regular monitoring at the site indicates the number of frog deaths has been reducing each week. There remains evidence of active frog populations, which is a good sign.”
Shadow Minister for Environment and Water Nicola Centofanti said “it’s our understanding that the closure of the boardwalk and peninsula was due to a minor outbreak of the chytrid fungus, which affects frogs and other amphibians”.
Ms Centofanti said that given the level of concern in the community over these closures, the situation highlighted the importance of the government and department’s ensuring that communication with the community was clear and timely.
It is understood that similar mass mortality events of frogs have occurred in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland in recent years.
The Southern Bell Frog is an endangered species. Bool Lagoon is one of the largest freshwater lagoon systems in southern Australia and is popular among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News.
