WA plan to stop spread of cane toads falters
Robyn Wuth |
Drastic measures to stop the spread of cane toads deep into Western Australia have faltered as the toxic pest threatens native wildlife during its relentless march toward the Kimberley coastline.
Record-breaking floods have carried the pest beyond the remote frontline of Freshwater Cove to the town of Derby, fanning fears the cane toads could reach Broome by 2025.
The declared pest has a major impact on native animals and has been spotted in the regional town.
“There have been cane toads recently spotted in and around Derby and found across the Kimberley,” a Department of Biodiversity spokeswoman confirmed.
Cane toads first crossed into WA from the Northern Territory about 15 years ago and have slowly spread their way through the Kimberley.
The animal excretes a deadly poison fatal to predators including goannas, snakes, freshwater crocodiles and northern blue tongue lizards, according to the Australian Museum.
The species was first introduced in Queensland in the 1930s in an unsuccessful attempt to control cane beetle.
Since the bungled introduction, the toad has spread across the continent’s north and been spotted as far south as northern NSW.
AAP
