The centre took delivery last Wednesday of eight southern corroboree frogs which were bred in Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.

Wirraminna education co-ordinator Owen Dunlop said it is estimated that there are less than 50 Southern Corroboree Frogs left in the wild and believes they will be one of the centre’s main attractions over the coming months.

“We have a minimum of 2000 students come through our centre each year,” Mr Dunlop said.

“We believe with the frogs in the centre it will be a major drawcard to attract even more.

“It’s not just aimed at students; we have educational material here for adults as well.

“I think we were chosen to host the habitat due to our great track record with endangered species around the local area and our work alongside the local catchment management authority.”

Mr Dunlop said the species, which is native to the Kosciuszko National Park has been under threat for a number of years from a pathogen known as amphibian chytrid fungus.

“The species was one of several to be affected by this pathogen and is lucky not to be wiped out entirely like some of the others were,” he said.

“There are about 2500 in captivity and we hope that if we can keep them that way for a few years then we will be able to study ways of making them resistant to the pathogen before they are ready to repopulate their native area.”

The frogs are being kept in a sub-alpine environment with temperatures between 15 to 19 degrees in order to recreate their natural habitat.

Mr Dunlop said the centre had just finished filming a three-minute DVD about the frogs and will be distributing an education kit to local schools in preparation for coming visits.