THE CANE TOAD INVASION
Sponsored by Jeff Hayley Triple J Tours and Kimberley Specialists
©2004 web site Constructed by Dean Goodgame of Kimberley Specialists
ABSTRACTS
CANE TOADS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA : a prediction
The introduced pest the cane toad (Bufo marinus) has devastated suitable habitats throughout Queensland where the Bureau of Sugar Experimental Stations at Meringa introduced it in 1935. Since this biological blunder cane toads have spread from Queensland south into New South Wales where sightings have been confirmed at Byron Bay and the Sydney (Produce) Markets at Homebush (site of the Olympic Stadium). Toads were allowed to access the world class wetlands of the Northern Territory (Sawyer pers.com) and have since devastated ecosystems throughout Arnhem Land and Kakadu(Oakwood 2003) with some population estimates indicating that as many as 20 million toads may now inhabit these systems. There has been documented evidence of localised extinctions of northern quolls (Dasyurushallucatus) (Oakwood 2003), waterbirds have died, freshwater fish and turtles have died, and a severe population decline of large predatory reptiles such as the varanid (monitor) lizards has been reported. Individual toads have been recorded from Adelaide (1997) and Perth (January 2005) and the first confirmed indications of cane toad potential to reach the Kimberley region of Western Australia occurred during late 2004 when several sightings and captures of animals occurred in and near the town of Kununurra. Climate change modelling (CSIRO 2001) has indicated that within 25 years the range of habitats suitable for cane toad habitation will extend into Victoria and South Australia along the Murray River system and eventually into Tasmania . In Western Australia toads will find suitable habitats in the Kimberley region and from Carnarvon south through Perth and east to at least Esperance. There are likely to be significant social, economic, environmental and cultural impacts upon the people of Western Australia (Guého 2004) that will require forward planning, initiative and innovation to manage the imminent threat that cane toads pose to the biodiversity of this state.