Introduction and Summary

The range of the Booroolong frog (Litoria booroolongensis) has greatly contracted over the past 25 years, and as a consequence, this species is currently listed as endangered at both the State and National level. A number of factors have been suggested as contributing to this decline, including; disease caused by infection with the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), habitat degradation, and predation by exotic fish species. This study was contracted to assess the likely impact of trout stocking on the Booroolong frog in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales. There were two primary components to this study: The first was to assess whether the Booroolong frog has persisted in areas where trout stocking has been undertaken in recent years. The second was to assess the infection status of Booroolong frog populations for the amphibian chytrid fungus, as the transport and release of fingerling trout has the capacity to spread this potentially virulent amphibian pathogen. We found Booroolong frogs present along sections of stream immediately adjacent to, or within, areas where trout stocking currently occurs. Given the long history of trou