NORTHERN Corroboree Frogs and koalas have returned home to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve after being evacuated and housed at the Australian National University during the fires. 

On January 30, as fires moved north west from Namadgi National Park about 450 critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frogs were moved to ANU, as well as koalas, Jed, Billa, Scully, Yellow, Gulu and a new joey.

Environment Minister Mick Gentleman says many of the frogs that have returned today will be released to Namadgi’s sensitive alpine areas later in the year.

The koalas will be monitored closely behind closed doors at Tidbinbilla before they return to the outdoor enclosure.

In the coming weeks, Mr Gentleman says they will return other threatened species such as 24 eastern bettongs and 24 brush-tailed rock-wallabies evacuated by Australian Defence Force to Mt Rothwell in Victoria, and a further four rock-wallabies and seven platypuses which have been receiving on-going care at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.

“We have used the animal’s absence from Tidbinbilla to effectively prepare the facilities to be safer from the threat of fire. Our teams have put in containment lines, removed vegetation around key enclosures and installed sprinkler systems in holding areas,” Mr Gentleman says.

“The massive biodiversity loss suffered this bushfire season and changing climate mean conserving endangered native populations is more important than ever.”