Australian Cane Toads: Should They Stay or Should They Go?
Image Source: Flickr. By: Frozen Lotus.
In 1935, the Cane Toad was introduced to Australia in an attempt to control the native Cane Beetle problem. Since the introduction, the Cane Toad population has swelled from 102 to over 200 million of these hopping amphibians.
This particular species of toad is notorious for its toxins. When a Cane Toad is threatened, it will secrete a milky-white fluid known as “bufotoxin”. Another particular chemical that also comes from this toad is bufotenin, which can be comparable to heroin and marijuana. If you’ve ever heard someone talk about licking a toad, it may be in association to this very creature, since one effect that comes from bufotenin is a mild hallucination. However, since these chemicals are toxic, too much consumption of them can result in death.
The multiplying and eating of these toads has not only spread disease, it has also killed a number of wildlife, including lizards, snakes, kangaroos, dingoes, and even humans. Due to their negative effect on biodiversity and their continuously expanding population, many people view them as a pest that should be eradicated.
Past suggestions of getting rid of these toads have been anything but kind. At one point, the government suggested that “people should beat them to death with a golf club or a cricket bat”. Animal welfare activists weren’t much better with their idea, which consisted of placing the animal in a plastic bag and sticking the bag in a freezer; thus, freezing the animal to death. Neither of those suggestions seems an ideal way to go and keep in mind, the Cane Toad is not native to Australia. It was introduced from Hawaii.
Recently, another idea was suggested and it’s even more bizarre than the last 2: cat food. According to University of Sydney scientists, placing cat food close to ponds that are inhabited by baby cane toads will attract carnivorous ants. These particular ants are immune to the toads’ poison and so they will attack the baby toads and eat them. Researcher, Rick Shine, stated:
“In one spot we tested, 98% of the baby toads were attacked within the first two minutes. It was a bit like a massacre.”
Considered to be one of the worst Australian environmental mistakes, these toads are a danger to both wildlife and domestic animals. Scientists have spent years trying to figure out a way to deal with the problem, but to no avail. The cat food method may be a bit more promising, since the ants are able to take care of the younger toads before they have a chance to breed.
Shine claims the study was intended to raise the number of ants around the cane toad breeding areas, not to upset the ecological balance. In other words, those particular ants were already in the area, the cat food simply enticed the ants to move to a specific spot within that area.
Now, I pose this question to you: Should the Cane Toad be completely removed from Australia or should some be allowed to stay? Why or why not? Also, if you propose removal of the toad, what method(s) would you suggest? Keep in mind, removal methods should not have a negative effect on any of the native flora or fauna. If you can come up with a way to remove the toads without viciously killing them, that would be even better.
By Heidi Marshall
I have been with GreenFudge for about a year now, but I've had a passion for Nature my entire life. When I'm not writing articles, you can find me out hiking, gardening, working on green craft projects, or taking photos for my website. You can check out the site at http://arkisaeo.com
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Tags: australia, biodiversity, Cane Beetle, Cane Toads, carnivorous ants, cat food, eradication, introduction, invasive species, native species, pests, threat
I sent in 20 ideas to catch cane toads to the Cane Toad Abatement Plan. I am waiting for a response, may be ideas will be tested. Toad Today Gone (Toast) Tomorrow. If you hear anything please email me in Canada writekenneth@hotmail.com
The cane toad is a menace to Australian Fauna. Introduce a bounty. $1 per whole toad dead or alive. Let the authorities do the disposal.