The most significant Southern Bell Frog population in NSW is responding well to 8 000 megalitres of environmental water flowing into the Murrumbidgee floodplain over recent weeks with breeding behaviour recorded at nearly every site, according to a Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher. Dr Skye Wassens is monitoring the response of the frogs inhabiting wetlands between Maude and Balranald on the Lowbidgee Floodplain in inland NSW. The endangered Southern Bell Frog was abundant until recent years, and was in real danger of local extinction. “While the initial signs are encouraging, the small frog numbers located to date indicate a massive population decline over the past six years. Successful recruitment of young frogs and their survival to breeding age is needed for the population to recover and this is not guaranteed unless key wetlands remain full for at least four months and are flooded regularly in future years,” said Dr Wassens.