Bring this iconic species back from the brink

With a call like a revving motorbike, the Growling Grass Frog was once a loud and proud Darebin local, and a vital part of our wetland ecosystem.

Today, he’s silent.

Across Victoria, Growling Grass Frogs, affectionately called Growlers, are disappearing. They’ve already vanished from more than half of the places they once called home. And like many of our native species, their absence exposes a deeper issue.

Their silence signals the breakdown of fragile ecosystems that support not just frogs, but countless plants and animals. This damage also affects the health of our local environment – and ultimately, our community too.

At La Trobe University’s Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary, staff and researchers are listening – and taking action. Using proven conservation methods, they’re preparing to restore wetland habitats and give endangered species a fighting chance. But they can’t do it alone. The Sanctuary plans to launch Stage One of the Growling Grass Frog Reintroduction Project in early 2026. Community support will play a crucial role in bringing this work to life, with every dollar going directly to the frogs’ reintroduction and habitat restoration.

To welcome Growlers back to Nangak Tamboree, the team will create special rocky “frog beaches” – warm, sunlit spaces where the frogs can defend against chytrid fungus, a deadly disease wiping out frogs worldwide. They’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.

These are the first crucial steps in a long-term rewilding effort that will offer a safe haven for native animals and strengthen biodiversity in Melbourne’s north.

Nangak Tamboree isn’t just a sanctuary. It’s part of a living, biodiverse waterway that connects La Trobe University with Darebin Creek and beyond. Working alongside the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Narrap Rangers, the team is combining traditional and contemporary land management to care for Country – creating a future that’s both ecologically strong and culturally grounded.

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. The Sanctuary’s predator-free environment, protected under a Trust for Nature Covenant, ensures these animals have a secure future here.

When we listen to what nature is telling us – and act together with care and urgency – we can create lasting change.

The Growling Grass Frog can’t ask for help. But you can answer the call.

Donate before Friday 19 December 2025 to help restore their habitat, revive the wetlands, and bring this iconic species back from the brink.