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Cape York Frog (Cophixalus peninsularis)

The Cape York Frog is a very small, Queensland endemic microhylid known from the McIlwraith Range on Cape York Peninsula. It may be encountered during clearing or construction in upland areas, and its small size and limited records make careful searches and conservative handling appropriate. It is listed as Vulnerable under Queensland legislation and is protected wildlife. Tampering with its breeding place requires a species management program.

Conservation status

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The breeding season of the Cape York Frog is poorly known. As a tropical upland rainforest frog, activity is likely to increase during warm, wet conditions, but timing may vary between years and sites in the McIlwraith Range.

Breeding mode: Not recorded. The species is a frog and is expected to reproduce by laying eggs, but its breeding site and development pattern are not confirmed here.

Clutch size: Not recorded.

Incubation or development period: Not recorded.

Fledging or weaning: Not applicable or not recorded. Froglet emergence and parental care details are not recorded.

Age at maturity: Not recorded.

Breeding sites: Not recorded. Protect upland rainforest habitat and retain moist ground shelters unless a qualified ecologist confirms otherwise.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded. Breeding may occur more than once in favourable wet conditions, but this is unconfirmed for the species.

Actual timing may shift with rainfall, temperature, elevation and local site conditions, and the species specific breeding calendar remains poorly known.

  • Potential breeding activity in wet conditions: Treat warm, wet periods as the most likely time for calling, mating and egg laying, although the species specific timing is unknown.
  • Potential eggs and developing young: Moist rainforest floor habitat should be checked for frogs, eggs and dependent young during wet season works.
  • Adult and juvenile activity: Frogs may be active year round, with detection likely to improve during warm, wet nights.
  • Survey priority: Plan targeted nocturnal searches after rain where practicable, focusing on upland McIlwraith Range rainforest above 400 m.
  • Highest clearing risk: Avoid or carefully supervise clearing during wetter months because breeding, eggs and dependent young may be present, and use precautionary controls at all other times.

Identification: Appearance and size

The Cape York Frog is a very small frog that can be difficult to detect during site works. Adult males are the most useful individuals for field identification because they call, but identification remains difficult where the similar Cophixalus crepitans occurs.

The species falls within the very small size category for Australian microhylid frogs. Snout to vent length is 12 to 18 mm.

The first finger is short and obviously less than half the length of the second finger. Toe webbing is absent in the relevant Cophixalus and Austrochaperina group.

Identification: Calls and similar species

The call is a short rattle made up of paired clicks. Listen during suitable frog survey conditions and record the location of calling individuals before works begin.

The identification key treats the Cape York Frog together with Cophixalus crepitans because reliable separating characters are uncertain. Call, size, finger proportions and locality should be considered together.

  • Use a call recording where possible.
  • Photograph the frog in place before capture or release.
  • Seek confirmation from a suitably experienced amphibian ecologist when the identification is uncertain.

Identification: Field signs

No distinctive droppings, nests, whitewash, stains or odours are available as reliable field signs for this species. The most useful signs are direct sightings and the short paired-click call.

Search leaf litter, damp ground cover and suitable rainforest microhabitats carefully. The species is small enough to be overlooked during vegetation clearing and hand searches.

  • Stop work if a frog matching the description is found.
  • Keep the animal shaded and damp, and minimise handling.
  • Use an approved fauna spotter catcher or amphibian ecologist for identification and any required movement.

Distribution: Australian range

The Cape York Frog is endemic to Queensland and is restricted, on current knowledge, to a high elevation area of Cape York Peninsula. Records are sparse, so absence from a particular site should not be treated as proof that the species is absent.

The species is associated with the McIlwraith Range in Cape York Peninsula. The available range information places it above 400 m elevation.

The McIlwraith Range is in Queensland. No overseas distribution is recognised.

  • Queensland endemic.
  • Cape York Peninsula.
  • McIlwraith Range, above 400 m.

Distribution: Site screening

Give extra attention to upland sites within or near the McIlwraith Range, particularly where works may affect rainforest vegetation, damp ground cover or connected high altitude habitat.

The known record base is small. Plan surveys from habitat and elevation, not only from previous records or database mapping.

  • Check the project footprint, access tracks, stockpile areas and temporary works areas.
  • Include nearby retained habitat that could be affected by drainage, sediment or machinery movement.
  • Obtain current records and confirm the species status before finalising the work method.

Habitat: Vegetation and landform

The strongest available habitat indication is upland rainforest in the McIlwraith Range above 400 m. The species is poorly known, so retain and inspect suitable moist rainforest habitat wherever it occurs within the project area.

Look for upland and mid-altitude rainforest on elevated parts of the McIlwraith Range. Retain intact rainforest, dense ground cover and leaf litter where practicable.

Give attention to sheltered slopes, gullies and other humid landforms that remain moist after surrounding areas dry.

  • Upland rainforest.
  • Humid gullies and sheltered slopes.
  • Dense leaf litter and ground vegetation.
  • Connected high altitude habitat.

Habitat: Features to inspect before clearing

Inspect the ground layer, leaf litter, fallen timber and low vegetation before machinery enters the site. Small frogs may remain concealed and may not be detected from vehicle-based inspections.

Use a staged clearing approach in suitable habitat, with a qualified fauna spotter catcher present and works stopped when a frog is located.

  • Mark retained habitat and no-go areas clearly.
  • Keep drainage and sediment controls away from retained damp habitat where feasible.
  • Avoid unnecessary removal of leaf litter, fallen timber and ground cover.

Foraging habitat: Likely foraging areas

The diet and detailed foraging behaviour of the Cape York Frog are not well documented. As a small terrestrial microhylid, it should be managed as a ground-dwelling frog that depends on moist cover and small invertebrate prey.

Inspect damp leaf litter, low vegetation, fallen timber and shaded ground cover within upland rainforest. These features can provide both cover and access to small invertebrates.

Keep retained ground cover connected where possible, especially around gullies and other humid areas.

  • Leaf litter and decaying vegetation.
  • Moist ground cover under rainforest canopy.
  • Shaded areas around fallen timber and rocks.
  • Edges of small gullies and seepage areas, where present.

Foraging habitat: Controls during works

Prevent sediment, concrete washout, fuel and other contaminants from entering retained habitat or drainage lines. Avoid creating abrupt dry, exposed edges around remaining rainforest.

Use low impact access routes and confine machinery to approved work areas.

  • Do not stockpile soil, mulch or spoil in retained habitat.
  • Maintain clean water separation around the work area.
  • Remove artificial shelter materials and waste that could trap frogs after works.

Breeding habitat: Potential breeding areas

The breeding site, breeding season and reproductive details of the Cape York Frog are not established in the available species information. Treat suitable moist upland rainforest as potential breeding habitat until a qualified ecologist confirms otherwise.

Inspect damp, sheltered ground within upland rainforest, including deep leaf litter, fallen timber, rock cover and moist gullies. Do not assume that the absence of visible standing water means breeding habitat is absent.

Maintain natural moisture, shade and ground cover in areas near known or suspected records.

  • Retain humid rainforest microhabitats.
  • Protect seepages, drainage lines and wet ground from sediment and pollutants.
  • Avoid disturbing concealed ground refuges during clearing.

Breeding habitat: Breeding place protection

In Queensland, tampering with a breeding place of protected wildlife requires the relevant species management arrangements. Obtain project specific advice before disturbing any suspected breeding place.

If frogs are found calling, concentrated in one area, or associated with eggs or young, stop work in that area and obtain advice before proceeding.

  • Establish a temporary exclusion area around the find.
  • Record the location, habitat, date, weather and activity occurring nearby.
  • Do not relocate frogs, eggs or tadpoles unless this is authorised and directed by an appropriately qualified person.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter features

The Cape York Frog is a terrestrial rainforest frog, but its daytime shelter sites and seasonal movements are poorly known. Small, moist refuges should be treated as important sheltering habitat during clearing and construction.

Search beneath leaf litter, fallen timber, rocks and dense low vegetation in shaded rainforest. Check these features by hand where safe and under the direction of the fauna spotter catcher.

Retain natural cover and avoid leaving isolated piles of waste, mesh or building materials that could trap frogs.

  • Deep leaf litter.
  • Fallen timber and bark.
  • Rocks and natural ground cavities.
  • Dense low vegetation in shaded, moist areas.

Sheltering habitat: Handling and exclusion

Use hand searches and staged clearing in suitable habitat rather than relying only on machinery inspection. Keep captured frogs cool, shaded and damp, using clean equipment and the shortest practical handling time.

Release or relocate animals only under the project approval, species management program or direction of the qualified fauna professional.

  • Check excavations, trenches and pipes regularly.
  • Provide safe escape points or cover open excavations when unattended.
  • Keep spoil heaps and machinery away from retained rainforest shelter habitat.

Threats: Habitat clearing and fragmentation

The Cape York Frog has a Vulnerable Queensland listing and a very small known record base. Development controls should focus on preventing direct mortality and retaining the moist upland rainforest conditions on which this poorly known frog is likely to depend.

Clearing upland rainforest can remove shelter, foraging areas and possible breeding habitat. Roads, pads, compounds and access tracks can also divide remaining habitat and increase edge exposure.

Avoid clearing high altitude rainforest where practicable. Use existing disturbed areas for temporary facilities and access.

  • Minimise the approved clearing footprint.
  • Clearly mark retained habitat and exclusion areas.
  • Rehabilitate temporary disturbance with locally appropriate native vegetation.

Threats: Hydrology, sediment and pollution

Changes to drainage, sediment movement and water quality can reduce moisture in retained habitat or damage gullies and seepages. Concrete, fuel, chemicals and poorly managed spoil can directly harm frogs and their prey.

Keep clean water separate from disturbed areas and maintain effective erosion and sediment controls throughout the works.

  • Protect gullies, seepages and drainage lines.
  • Inspect controls after rainfall and repair failures promptly.
  • Prevent discharge from entering retained rainforest habitat.

Threats: Direct mortality during works

Small frogs can be killed by clearing machinery, vehicle movements, open trenches and stored materials. Staged clearing and active fauna supervision reduce this risk.

Schedule habitat disturbance to avoid unnecessary night activity, and stop work when a suspected Cape York Frog is found until it has been assessed.

  • Use a fauna spotter catcher experienced with amphibians.
  • Inspect trenches, pipes and other entrapment hazards.
  • Keep machinery within defined work areas and enforce low site speeds.

Threats: Fire, climate and cumulative pressure

Fire that removes rainforest ground cover, drying of upland habitat and cumulative disturbance may affect this restricted species. The species is poorly known, so monitor retained habitat and report new records promptly.

Maintain habitat connectivity and avoid introducing fire or unnecessary clearing into high altitude ecosystems.

  • Do not burn cleared material next to retained rainforest.
  • Keep fire management consistent with rainforest protection.
  • Record and photograph all observations for future management.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The Cape York Frog is a very small, poorly known rainforest frog. Surveys should target calling adult males in suitable upland rainforest, especially in the McIlwraith Range above 400 m, and should be supported by habitat assessment and careful searches of moist ground cover.

Confirm whether the site is within the Cape York Peninsula range, including the McIlwraith Range and areas north of Cooktown. Check elevation, rainforest condition, drainage lines, seepage areas, access tracks and proposed clearing boundaries.

Treat records of Cophixalus crepitans with caution because the two species are not reliably separated by the available identification key. Arrange expert review where identification affects approvals or site controls.

  • Check WildNet and other current government databases for nearby records.
  • Review recent aerial imagery, topographic mapping, fire history, clearing history and proposed disturbance footprints.
  • Identify high altitude ecosystems, rainforest remnants and moist refuge areas that should be retained.

Survey methodology: 2. Night call surveys

Survey after dark when frogs are likely to be calling. Use warm, humid and recently wet conditions where practicable, as these conditions generally improve detection of rainforest frogs.

Listen quietly before entering the survey area and move slowly through suitable habitat. Record calling males, calling locations and the direction of each call.

  • Use repeated night visits rather than relying on one inspection.
  • Target periods after rainfall and avoid surveying during strong wind, heavy rain or other conditions that mask calls.
  • Use a head torch with a low disturbance setting, then use a brighter light only for confirmation.
  • Record the date, start and finish time, weather, recent rainfall, surveyors, route, area searched and survey conditions.

Survey methodology: 3. Visual and identification checks

Search leaf litter, low vegetation, fallen timber, rocks, root mats and other damp ground cover without turning or damaging habitat unnecessarily. Check rainforest edges and areas where machinery access may disturb moist refuges.

The relevant field combination is a very small frog, usually 12 to 18 mm snout to vent length, with a first finger less than half the length of the second finger. Adult males give a short rattle made up of paired clicks.

Do not assign a definitive species name from call or appearance alone where Cophixalus crepitans is also possible. Photograph the animal in place where safe, record a call if possible, and obtain expert confirmation.

  • Use a scale or callipers only when this can be done safely and by an authorised person.
  • Record GPS coordinates, habitat, elevation, microhabitat, behaviour, sex if known, photographs and audio files.
  • Do not collect specimens unless the required scientific permit and animal welfare arrangements are in place.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey reporting

Map all detections and areas surveyed, including negative survey areas. Explain the limitations of the survey, especially weather, access, visibility, calling conditions and taxonomic uncertainty.

Use the results to refine the clearing footprint and identify areas requiring exclusion, further assessment or a species management program.

  • Submit significant records through the relevant Queensland recording and approval pathways.
  • Keep original photographs, call recordings, field sheets and GPS files with the project environmental records.
  • Report any breeding place, tadpoles, eggs, sheltering aggregation or repeated use of a site immediately to the environmental manager.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and permits

Plan the works around habitat retention and legal approval requirements. The Cape York Frog is listed as Vulnerable in Queensland, so clearing or disturbance in occupied or suitable habitat should be managed conservatively, even where the species has not been detected.

Confirm the current Queensland Nature Conservation Act requirements before works begin. Obtain any required Queensland permits for protected wildlife, handling, rehabilitation or relocation.

Check whether disturbing a breeding place requires a Queensland species management program. Seek advice from the Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation where the project may tamper with a breeding place or affect an occupied site.

The species has no Commonwealth EPBC listing recorded here. Complete an EPBC Act self assessment and seek a referral decision if the action may affect another Matter of National Environmental Significance or if the species status changes.

  • Keep approvals, permit conditions, fauna handling authorities and contact details at the site office.
  • Use only fauna spotter catchers and other personnel authorised for the relevant activity.
  • Include species specific controls in the construction environmental management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and site design

Retain upland rainforest, moist ground cover, drainage features and connected habitat wherever practicable. Avoid unnecessary widening of access tracks and avoid placing spoil, laydown areas or equipment in retained habitat.

Use a qualified ecologist to set site specific exclusion areas. No species specific buffer distance is established, so the buffer should cover the likely disturbance footprint, adjoining shelter habitat and any breeding place, with a wider area where hydrology, vibration, sediment or lighting could affect the site.

  • Mark approved clearing limits clearly before machinery arrives.
  • Fence or flag no go areas and inspect the demarcation each day.
  • Keep runoff, sediment, dust, chemicals and altered drainage out of retained rainforest.
  • Minimise night lighting near retained habitat and use downward directed, shielded lights where lighting is unavoidable.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre clearance survey

Complete a targeted pre clearance survey shortly before works, using night call searches and daytime habitat inspection. Repeat the survey after suitable rain if the first visit occurs in dry or unsuitable conditions.

Search the full disturbance footprint and a practical surrounding area defined by the ecologist. Give particular attention to moist rainforest floor, fallen timber, leaf litter, root mats and drainage features.

  • Use a fauna spotter catcher with amphibian experience.
  • Brief the survey team on the small body size and the possibility of confusion with Cophixalus crepitans.
  • Mark every detection, potential breeding place and retained refuge on plans and on the ground.
  • Stop planning assumptions if an occupied site or possible breeding place is found, and obtain ecological and regulatory advice before proceeding.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Timing and crew induction

No breeding season or migration period has been established for the Cape York Frog. Do not assume that works can be timed to avoid breeding or seasonal movement. Use current survey results, rainfall conditions and specialist advice to set the work window.

Induct all workers before clearing starts. Explain the species, no go areas, stop work authority, hygiene controls and the procedure for reporting frogs or breeding places.

  • Schedule the most disruptive activities outside periods when surveys show active calling or concentrated frog activity where practicable.
  • Keep machinery and vehicles out of retained habitat and wet ground.
  • Clean and disinfect footwear, tools and equipment before entering frog habitat and between sites, following the project hygiene procedure.
  • Tell workers not to handle frogs, move habitat or release water into retained areas.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Use a staged, closely supervised clearing process. Small rainforest frogs can be overlooked, so clearing must be slow enough for the spotter catcher to inspect ground cover and stop machinery when needed.

Clear in stages from the least suitable or already disturbed area towards retained habitat, where the site layout allows. Fell or remove vegetation in a controlled sequence and leave fauna refuge areas undisturbed until the spotter catcher has checked them.

Avoid sudden changes to drainage, shade and ground moisture in retained habitat. Do not push cleared material into rainforest edges, drainage lines or marked exclusion areas.

  • Inspect each work area before machinery enters.
  • Clear only the approved footprint.
  • Pause between stages to allow the spotter catcher to search disturbed ground and likely refuge sites.
  • Use hand clearing around moist ground cover, root mats and other high risk microhabitat where practicable.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Stop work and handling authority

Give the fauna spotter catcher authority to stop work immediately. Only the authorised spotter catcher or another appropriately permitted person should capture, handle, identify or relocate a frog.

Treat a suspected Cape York Frog as a protected animal until identification is resolved. Keep people, machinery and vehicles clear while the animal is assessed.

  • Stop work for any frog, suspected breeding place, eggs, tadpoles or concentration of frogs within or beside the clearing footprint.
  • Keep the animal shaded, cool and quiet, and avoid unnecessary handling.
  • Use clean, damp, disposable or disinfected equipment suitable for amphibian handling.
  • Record the location and condition before any authorised relocation.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Breeding places and occupied habitat

If an active breeding place, eggs, tadpoles, sheltering concentration or repeatedly occupied refuge is found, stop the affected activity and protect the site. Do not fill, drain, remove, cover or otherwise tamper with the place until the environmental manager and relevant authority have confirmed the approved response.

Do not relocate eggs or tadpoles unless this is specifically authorised and directed by a suitably qualified amphibian ecologist.

  • Establish a temporary exclusion area based on specialist advice and the likely effects of the work.
  • Prevent sediment, fuel, concrete washout, dust, vibration and altered runoff from entering the site.
  • Document the finding with photographs, coordinates, habitat description and the action taken.
  • Resume work only after the approval conditions and ecological controls are confirmed.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Injured or displaced animals

Place an injured frog in a clean, secure, ventilated container with suitable moist material, kept shaded and cool. Do not place frogs in water unless directed by a wildlife carer or amphibian veterinarian.

Contact the project wildlife rehabilitator or licensed wildlife carer immediately. Seek veterinary advice for injuries, chemical exposure, desiccation or crushing.

  • Do not feed the frog.
  • Do not mix animals from different sites or place more than one animal in a container unless directed by the rehabilitator.
  • Record the finder, time, location, condition, photographs, temporary care and transfer details.
  • Release a healthy displaced animal only at an approved nearby refuge selected by the ecologist and consistent with permit conditions.

During habitat disturbance: 5. Daily records

Maintain a daily fauna log throughout clearing. Record both detections and the absence of detections, together with weather and the area inspected.

Report non compliance, injuries, deaths, escapes, unauthorised handling and work near an exclusion area to the site environmental manager on the same day.

  • Record species or identification confidence, number of animals, GPS location, habitat, action taken and final outcome.
  • Keep copies of permits, photographs, call recordings, relocation forms and incident reports.
  • Update the site map after every detection or change to an exclusion area.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post clearance checks

Complete the fauna response before the site is signed off. Follow up retained habitat and any relocated animals, then use the findings to improve the next stage of work.

Inspect the completed clearing footprint and adjoining exclusion areas after each stage. Search for overlooked frogs, injured animals, exposed moist refuges and damage to retained habitat.

Check that no spoil, slash, sediment, chemicals, lighting or altered drainage has entered retained rainforest or known habitat.

  • Have the fauna spotter catcher or ecologist complete the final fauna inspection before machinery leaves the stage.
  • Check temporary fencing and signage, and repair gaps promptly.
  • Remove temporary materials only after the environmental manager confirms that they are no longer needed.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Relocated animals

Record the release site, release time, habitat condition and weather for every relocated animal. Use a release site that provides suitable moist cover and is outside active machinery areas, roads and future clearing.

Do not claim relocation success from release alone. Where practicable, revisit the release area and record calling, sightings and habitat condition.

  • Keep relocation numbers low by prioritising avoidance and habitat retention.
  • Do not move animals outside their natural local habitat without specific ecological and regulatory approval.
  • Report mortality or repeated displacement and review the work method before the next clearing stage.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Monitoring and reporting

Prepare a completion report that compares planned controls with what occurred in the field. Include survey effort, detections, breeding places, handling, relocation, injuries, deaths, incidents and corrective actions.

Where the project affects suitable or occupied habitat, agree a monitoring approach with the approving authority and project ecologist. Use repeat night call surveys under suitable conditions and consistent methods.

  • Map retained habitat and all monitoring locations.
  • Record weather, rainfall, survey duration, observers and call detections at each visit.
  • Use the same identification process at each survey and flag records that may be Cophixalus crepitans.
  • Submit required records to regulators and update the project risk register.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Hold a short review after each clearing stage and after any fauna incident. Include the spotter catcher, supervisor, machine operators and environmental manager.

Change the sequence, exclusion controls, lighting, drainage controls or induction content where the review identifies a risk.

  • Investigate every unauthorised clearing event and animal death.
  • Check whether the work area was surveyed under suitable conditions.
  • Record agreed actions, responsible people and completion dates.
  • Do not restart a suspended activity until corrective actions are verified.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore rainforest structure

Rehabilitation should rebuild cool, moist rainforest structure and protect the habitat features used by small microhylid frogs. Because the Cape York Frog's breeding sites and shelter requirements are poorly documented, habitat restoration and monitoring are preferable to installing artificial structures without expert justification.

Reinstate local rainforest species and natural ground cover across disturbed areas. Retain or replace leaf litter, fallen branches, logs, root structure and shaded refuges where they are safe and consistent with the approved rehabilitation design.

Reconnect retained rainforest patches and protect wet areas, drainage lines and seepage zones from compaction and erosion.

  • Use locally appropriate native plant material and clean fill.
  • Stabilise exposed soil without burying natural refuge areas.
  • Keep rehabilitation areas free from machinery, stockpiles and vehicle traffic.
  • Match the natural surface drainage and avoid creating sudden drying or ponding.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Breeding habitat and artificial structures

No species specific artificial breeding structure is established for the Cape York Frog. Do not install nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial nest sites or roost structures for this frog unless an amphibian ecologist confirms that a design is suitable and the approval conditions allow it.

Prioritise natural rainforest floor habitat, moisture retention and connected cover. Artificial structures must not replace protection of an active breeding place.

  • Use any trial structure only under a documented research or monitoring plan.
  • Record its design, location, materials, installation date and inspection results.
  • Remove failed or hazardous structures and prevent them becoming rubbish or wildlife traps.
  • Do not use bat boxes or bird nest boxes as a substitute for frog habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Weeds, water and hygiene

Control weeds before they dominate the rainforest floor or alter moisture conditions. Use methods that avoid herbicide drift, sediment movement and contamination of frog habitat.

Protect natural water movement and keep pollutants out of drainage features and moist refuges.

  • Use clean equipment when entering rehabilitation areas.
  • Inspect for weeds, erosion, sediment, rubbish and changes in drainage after rainfall.
  • Avoid spraying near occupied or potential breeding habitat unless the method and exclusion controls have been approved.
  • Remove invasive plants progressively and replace bare ground with suitable native cover.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Lighting and site design

Keep permanent lighting away from retained and rehabilitated rainforest wherever practicable. Lighting can alter nocturnal conditions and may interfere with frog behaviour or surveys.

Use the minimum light needed for safety and direct it away from habitat.

  • Use shielded, downward directed fittings.
  • Avoid unnecessary blue rich or high intensity lighting near habitat.
  • Turn off temporary lighting when work is complete.
  • Inspect lighting after installation to confirm that spill does not enter exclusion or rehabilitation areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Long term monitoring

Monitor rehabilitation for establishment of rainforest cover, moisture, drainage, weed control and fauna use. Use repeat night call surveys when conditions are suitable, with consistent observers and methods.

Because the species is Vulnerable and records are limited, report new detections promptly and review management if the Cape York Frog is found using the rehabilitated area.

  • Set monitoring points in retained habitat, rehabilitation areas and likely impact edges.
  • Record calls, sightings, habitat condition, rainfall, survey timing and identification confidence.
  • Continue monitoring for the period required by approvals and rehabilitation commitments.
  • Use the results to adjust weed control, drainage, lighting and access management.

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