reside at the very top of Stephans Island, as that is the only cluster of trees on the island. Conservationsists have tried translocating groups of these frogs to other areas, in hopes that they can prosper and reproduce in a different environment. They have also built a fence around the “frog bank” on Stephans Island to keep predators away. The Hamilton's frog two main predators are the native tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) and the introduced black rat (Rattus rattus). Both of these two predators have caused the Hamilton's frog population to drop to less than 300. It is also vulnerable to the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Habitat loss is another large area of concern for this frog. Because they may span a wide variety of vertical spaces, both tree and ground are vulnerable areas that are subject to change and endanger Hamilton's frogs. In August 2018 the Department of Conservation (DOC) classified the Hamilton's frog as Nationally Critical under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. Protection efforts New Zealand has been protecting the Hamilton's frog species since 1921. A tuatara fence has also been built to stop tuataras from getting through. There is population monitoring also in place. There are plans to move some of the population to another island. References External links Transfer of Hamilton's frog to new habitat on Stephens Island Predation by tuatara Image of holotype specimen held at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand Leiopelmatidae Amphibians of New Zealand Amphibians described in 1919 Endemic fauna of New Zealand Endangered biota of New Zealand Endemic amphibians of New Zealand