The Cane Toad is a Key Threatening Process to the Australian Nation
Declared by the Federal Government 12 April 2005.

KTB Newsletter:58

23/12/2015

This 58th Kimberley Toad Busters’ Newsletter is produced by Kimberley Specialists In Research Inc in conjunction with Kimberley Toad Busters Inc. Kimberley Specialists, a founding member of the Kimberley Toad Busters, continues to support the campaign against the cane toad by supporting www.canetoads.com.au raising funds and supporting cane toad scientific research.

Prepared by Jordy Groffen– Researcher at Kimberley Toad Busters.
Edited by Lee Scott-Virtue, President and Founder of KTB.

KTB is a tax-deductible entity.
To donate click on the following link.

IF EVERYONE WAS A TOADBUSTER, THE TOADS WOULD BE BUSTED!

kimberleytoadsbusters@canetoads.com.au
www.kimberleyspecialists.com.au
kimberleyspecialists@westnet.com.au

Marella gorge research update

Fourteen months after the arrival of cane toads in Marella gorge Nicholson Station KTB Animals scientist Jordy Groffen began the last of the post cane toad research surveys to record and monitor the full impact of cane toads on the native biodiversity that had been recorded over a period of several years. Three surveys were undertaken on the exact dates of previous surveys, all undertaken prior to the arrival of the invasive cane toads in 2013, to minimize the climate factors.

Jordy Groffen stated; “It was very interesting to see the difference and to see if the short term population decline was due to the arrival of the cane toads or had more to do with the wet season, which changes the study area”. Jordy continued; “Some of the species, like the Yellow spotted monitor, that had a decline as soon as the cane toads arrived were still low in numbers 14 months after”. Other species like dragon species and skink species showed an increase in numbers. This probably has to do with the decline of the top predator species in the study area.

Figure 1. The Yellow spotted monitor, subject of many different studies While toads might not directly impact the smaller reptile species, there is considerable indirect impacts with food resources at every level of the invertebrate and small vertebrate chain. Whole eco-systems are effected in different ways and there is a great need to undertake a similar Marella Gorge field approach on every different type of eco-system in order to even come close to understanding the cane toad direct and indirect impacts at every level of the food chain.   Figure 3. A female roadkill Bilby is carefully dissected to collect more information

More Bilbies Recorded on Nicholson Station

KTB has been monitoring the Bilby population at Nicholson station for the last four years and will continue to do so. The focus this year was at finding new living areas of the Bilbies, resulting in the discovery of three new locations. After finding active burrows, motion cameras (one taking photos other videos; see figure 2) were placed to get more information of the newly discovered populations.

Jordy Groffen stated; “Experts call the Bilbies on Nicholson station one of the most extraordinary populations in Australia because of the harsh habitat differences compared to other parts of Australia. The ground in general is much harder and difficult to burrow into. Bilbies in the Nicholson area have on average fewer burrows than in other areas due to the hard surface. They have to repair them less than in areas with softer ground and it also seems that they are shallower than burrows in other areas but still stay in the comfortable 23 degrees Celsius zone”. Sadly a roadkill Bilby was found in one of the study areas. The Bilby was taken back to Nicholson Station and dissected to collect more information from the population, see figure 3. Hair samples were taken for genetic studies and parasites were collected and send off to the NT museum.

Figure 2. Motion cameras set up close to a Bilby burrow.

Cane toad cartoon

Difference between cane toads and native frogs - Adult stage

It is very important that you can distinguish the differences between the invasive cane toads and the native frogs. Below are examples of a cane toad and a native Giant burrowing frog. The Giant burrowing frog is most often mistaken for a cane toad. Besides the differences named in the figures (see below) locomotion is another way of distinguishing between a frog and a toad. Cane toads hop away and are not very fast, while frogs jump big distances and are must faster.

Collecting cane toad tadpoles is critical in keeping cane toad numbers reduced. Once you are certain they are cane toad tadpoles, you can easily scoop them up with a net. They often cluster together in big groups and this makes it easier to catch many tadpoles in a short amount of time. You can put them in the freezer or throw them up onto the bank. Put them into the sun so they die quickly then cover them with soil to stop the native wildlife from eating them. If meat ants get to them before you have a chance to cover them up they can eat them without any ill effect.

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter! 7

For more information on any of the articles contact:
Lee Scott-Virtue: KTB Founder & President 08 9168 7080 kimberleytoadbusters@canetoads.com.au

All donations are tax deductible.

For further information contact

Lee Scott-Virtue: 08 91687080

If everyone became a toad buster.
The toads would be busted!

Links to some of our Educational sites and DVD’s.

1. www.canetoads.com.au

2. Kimberley toad busters Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/KimberleyToadBusters

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberley-Toad-Busters-KTB/113247412075404?ref=hl

3.Kimberley Toad Busters going on a toad bust:

4.View the research documentary of the Kimberley Toad Busters (KTB):

5. View Dana Lyons "Cane toad muster" song composed for the Kimberley Toad Busters:

6. View Interview with Boonya Indigenous Elder from Derby:

7. View Interview with Kevin and William Indigenous Elders from Derby:

8. View Interview with JuJu Indigenous Elder from Kununurra:

9. View KTB Chronological history from 2004 - 2013-11-02