'Act now or rare frogs will be lost'

Otawa Scenic Reserve is home to fewer than 200 Leiopelma Hochstetteri Otawas. Photo / File

An environmental group is calling for help to protect a critically-endangered frog found only in Te Puke.

It is estimated there are fewer than 200 Leiopelma Hochstetteri Otawas left in the world - all within the proposed Otawa sanctuary area near Te Puke.

Te Puke Forest and Bird are doing their part to protect the tiny amphibians and educate the public as their numbers grow smaller every year in the area between the Otanewainuku forest and Otawa Scenic Reserve.

Te Puke Forest and Bird chairwoman Cathy Reid said the frogs were amongst the rarest in the world.

"It is important because it is different on every genetic reading to all other Hochstetteri," she said.

"This one is critically endangered because it only survives on that piece of land in the whole world."

Other Leiopelma Hochstetteri Otawas populations would have been killed by the Taupo eruption in 1000AD or from sensitivity to poison and sediment in water over time.

Mrs Reid said the frog had only survived in this area because of the lack of human traffic but after quarrying stopped in the area just over a year ago more people where venturing into the park recreationally.

"It's getting really hard now to find them now, you used to be able to find them immediately. Suddenly the frogs are in more danger than they have ever been.

"It is quite critical the area around it remains bush as it is the best way to protect the frog. At the moment there are people walking in there and when you walk up the streams, they are killing them and they are getting rarer."

Mrs Reid said the land was waiting for new classification from the Department of Conservation.

Te Puke Forest and Bird is holding a public meeting on November 16 from 7.30pm at Kiwi360 for those wanting to know more about the frog and the area.

"Everybody who has [an] interest [in] finding out more about our famous little frog is welcome," said Mrs Reid.