 Wildlife Photographic Competition
Entry by Tara Rowe
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The good news is regular checks of the gravel pits and standing water between Kununurra and the border has showed no signs or reports of breeding. While it is clear that the diligent and consistent removal by KTB of any evidence of cane toad breeding at the egg, tadpole and metamorph stage, as well as large adult toads has reduced population numbers it is likely the extended dry period has also helped to slow the advance of the toads.
The recent rains however ensure the toads will be on the move once again.It is now possible for odd explorer toads, ahead of the front line to be present in Kununurra. These toads are large, 10 – 17 cm in size along the body, and are likely to come into backyards attracted to lights at night. Toads have also been recorded near the WA border north of Kununurra in and around the Old Spirit Hill Homestead and airstrip area. |
This now means that three KTB identified cane toad migration corridors have now reached WA. KTB will continue to monitor and toad bust other recognised migration routes still in the NT and making their way towards WA.
If you find what you think is a cane toad call Kimberley Toad Busters 08 9168 2576.
There
is a large network of people able to help identify and humanely dispose of the cane toad!
 Map showing where toads have been found and where the main colonising front is located! |
Also, even more importantly keep an eye out for breeding (tadpoles and metamorphs). Two of the toads found near Kununurra recently have been females with eggs. If we are able to keep breeding to a minimum toad numbers around town will be kept low , and not 2,000 + per hectare as recorded in other areas of Australia!
Well done to the Bonner boys for their discovery of a male and female cane toad at the Kununurra rodeo grounds! Excellent work, especially as the female was full of eggs.
Well done to all other community members that have reported toads to either Kimberley Toad Busters or DEC.
Well done to the KTB field leaders including Scotty, Tim, Anthony and Anne who have been able to fill the gap while our field
coordinator, Ben Scott-Virtue, has been overseas. For more information about cane toads and what to do in your backyard come along to the KTB Caring for the Kimberley
For more information about cane toads and what to do in your backyard come along to the KTB Caring for the Kimberley
Community Day Sunday 21st of March 9 – 4 at the Kununurra Youth Centre (Behind the Leisure Centre – next to the Oval).
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Come along to the Caring for the Kimberley Community Forum
Friday 19th – Sunday 21st March 2010
Kununurra Youth Centre
Kimberley Toad Busters have been working hard to pull together scientists and speakers from across Australia to talk about the
impact of cane toads and fire on wildlife of the Kimberley and possible solutions. The event has been recognized by the UN
Convention on Biological Diversity as part of their International Year of Biodiversity celebrations. The event is a sequel to the
Cane Toad Forum held in Kununurra in 2005, it was after this forum the community decided to form Kimberley Toad Busters and
begin weekend toad busts 300 km away at Victoria River! It is time to come together once again and decide how we can
minimise the impact of cane toads on our wildlife and improve management of fire in the Kimberley.
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Speakers for Friday 19th March and Saturday 20th March will include: |
Dr. Jeremy Russell-Smith
Dr. Jemma Berry
Proffessor Rick Shine, Dr. Jonno Webb, Sam Price-Rees, Matthew Greeless and Ruchira Somerweea
Assoc. Proffessor Michael Tyler
Dr. Ben Phillips
Dr. Sean Doody
Proffessor Tony Peacock
Bonney Edwards
Barry Haase
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Bushfires NT – Fire in the Kimberley
University of WA – Finding the chink in cane toad armour by understanding their DNA
University of Sydney – Impacts of Cane Toads on marsupials, Bluetounges, frogs and freshwater crocodiles and control options
History of Frogs in the Kimberley, Pheromones for cane toad control and euthanasia
Australian Wildlife Conservancy – Spread of cane toads in WA and EcoFire
Monash University – Impacts of Cane Toads on Native Predators and Implications for Extinction,
Recovery and Control
CRC Invasive Animals – Targeting the biggest threat of cane toads
Jaru elder – Importance of Bush Tucker in keeping indigenous culture strong
Federal Member of Parliament – Cane toad research and control
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Sunday 21st of March is for all the community and
families. The day begins with Howard James talking of
the impact of fire, tourism and ways for improved
community driven fire management in the Kimberley.
Ruth Duncan will provide information on the Kimberley
Toad Busters ‘What’s in Your Backyard?’ biodiversity
program why community knowledge and observations
of wildlife are important in the Kimberley. From 10 – 1
we will have a display of live native animals with Bill and
Corrin from Kimberley Reptiles as well as presentations
about how to identify the animals in your own
backyard, and how to care for your own reptiles as pets
with Bob Cooper. From 1.30 - 4 is the cane toad
information session – everything you need to know
about cane toads including presentations from Ben and
John from Kimberley Toad Busters, Stop the Toad Fund
and FrogwatchNT.
Children’s activities will be run throughout the day including Follow the Jungle Trail competition. Come along for a chance to win
a Champagne Diamond donated from Kimberley Fine Diamonds or a family pass to Crocosaurus Cove. |
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| Lunch is available at the venue each day. We would like everyone to participate in the Forum – by either coming along or
entering in one of the fantastic competitions! It is only with an informed community that there is any chance a decline in
biodiversity of the Kimberley can be kept to a minimum. |
Wildlife Photographic Competition
Entry by Barbara Sing
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Wildlife photography and Environmental Art competitions
All entries will be displayed as part of the Forum and entry open to all.
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Wildlife Photographic Competition |
Environmental Art Exhibition |
| Entrants |
Open to all ages |
Open (17 yrs +) |
| Theme |
'What's in Your Backyard?' - Kimberley Wildlife |
Threats to the Kimberley |
| Method |
Photo must have been taken in the Kimberley.
All creatures from the smallest invertebrate to
the largest crocodile are welcomed. |
Open to all visual art.
No photographic art. |
| Prize |
1st $1,500
2nd $1,000
3rd $500 |
1st $2,500
2nd $1,500
3rd $1,000 |
| To enter |
Send photo, name and contact details to:
photo@canetoads.com.au
08 91682576 |
Contact Lovell Gallery
nadeenlovell@bigpond.com
08 91681781 |
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Wildlife Photographic Competition
Entry by Nilusha Somaweera
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Wildlife Photographic Competition
Entry by Ruchira Somaweera
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In the next newsletter:
8 – 12th March 2010 – Kimberley Land Council Indigenous Ranger Muster
Over 40 KLC Rangers will be joined Kimberley Toad Busters for a intense week of toad busting and cane toad control.
19th – 21st March 2010 – Caring for the Kimberley Community Forum
Results from the forum and where to from here for cane toad and fire management in the Kimberley.
For more information on any of the articles contact:
Ruth Duncan: KTB Environmental Scientist 0400 767 650 / 08 9168 2576 biodiversity@canetoads.com.au
Lee Scott-Virtue: KTB Founder & President 08 9168 7080 kimberleytoadbusters@canetoads.com.au
Ben Scott-Virtue: KTB Field Co-ordinator 08 9168 2576 fieldcoordinator@canetoads.com.au
John Cugley: KTB Administration Co-ordinator 08 9168 2576 admin@canetoads.com.au
Mary Anne Winton: KTB Indigenous Coordinator 0488 693 642
www.canetoads.com.au
All donations are tax deductible.
Supported by:
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