MANDURAH MAIL (Australia) 15 July 08 Cane toads a waterways threat say experts
Cane toads could easily destroy the Peel region’s internationally-listed wetlands.
The damage the cane toads could potentially cause to the region and Western Australia in general will be outlined at a public meeting at the Peel Waterways Centre tonight from 5-7pm.
Although the battle lines with the toad are still on the WA/NT border, the lecture will reveal how the pest could make it’s way down south.
Toad Buster Sandy Boulter, who will be delivering the lecture, said the threat may be remote but was also very real.
“The cane toads poison pets and native animals,” Ms Boulter said.
“Even large freshwater crocodiles have died after eating cane toads.
“Although direct invasion of Mandurah by cane toads may be a long way away, the imminent threat is that they will arrive as hitchhikers in trucks, ships, boats and cars that have come through toad infected country.”
Ms Boulter said it was critical the community could tell the difference between a native frog and a cane toad.
“If just one breeding pair slip through into our local waterways you could have up to 30,000 cane toads within a year.”
The public lecture will include information on how to identify and dispose of a cane toad safely, and a display of a cane toad trap.
Ms Boulter said the toads had already shown an ability to survive in cooler climates as they moved southwards.
“Recent modelling suggests that the cane toad can survive in all our mainland coastal cities and towns, including Mandurah,” Ms Boulter said.
“We’ve already seen the cane toad have a disastrous impact on the native wildlife of the wetlands of the Northern Territory National Parks including Kakadu.”
The cane toad was introduced into Queensland in 1935 to combat beetles which were affecting sugar cane crops.
The toxic toads have since spread to northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory and are now threatening the Kimberley where 2000 volunteers known as the Kimberley Toad Busters are trying to stop them in their tracks.
Peel Waterways Centre Manager Bob Pond said the cane toads were a long-term threat but one which had to be taken seriously.
“When they were first introduced to Australia, no-one expected cane toads to pose any threat,” Mr Pond said.
“They were wrong.
“We were wrong again to under-estimate their ability to migrate outside of Queensland. “
Mr Pond said it was really important for the future of the region’s waterways that the same mistake wasn’t made again.
For more information on the meeting call Michelle on 9550 4228.
Cane toads a waterways threat say experts