Nearly one-third of the world's 6,490 amphibian species are threatened with extinction, and at least 150 species have completely disappeared since 1980.

Melbourne Zoo celebrated the inaugural ‘Save the Frogs Day' on April 28 by announcing a new partnership with Melbourne University aimed at increasing populations of two frog species native to metropolitan Melbourne.

"Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change and a deadly skin disease caused by a fungus are the main threats to frogs around the world" says Dr Kirsten Parris of The University of Melbourne.

Dr Parris' research focuses on the conservation of frogs in urban habitats, and this new project is designed to re-establish populations of frogs in wetlands around Melbourne. She will lead a team of researchers collecting frogs to make up founder populations of both species to establish the breeding programs at the Zoo.

In support of this new partnership with The University of Melbourne, Zoos Victoria has set up facilities to manage a conservation program for the Spotted Marsh Frog and Southern Brown Tree Frog that will breed tadpoles to be reintroduced into the metropolitan area.

"We are excited to be involved in this new research effort, and the facilities are ready for the first frogs to arrive so we can begin the breeding program" says Dr Graeme Gillespie, Zoos Victoria's Director of Wildlife Science and Conservation.

"Zoos Victoria has been at the forefront of amphibian conservation through captive breeding since 1993. We are already using this expertise to help save some of Australia's most endangered species from extinction, including the Southern Corroboree Frog, Southern Barred Frog, and Spotted Tree Frog," says Dr Gillespie.

"Global frog decline is one of the most significant environmental issues of the 21st century - unless we act quickly, frogs will continue to disappear" warns Dr Parris.