Toad Media
ABC Kimberley
Cane toads of the apocalypse
Friday, 31 December 2004
reporter: Vanessa Mills
 Wildlife
experts are predicting the demise of much of the Kimberley's native
wildlife when introduced cane toads invade the area in coming years.
Community forums in Broome and Kununurra about the amphibian invasion
were organised by former Department of Conservation wildlife officer
turned tour guide and environmental consultant, Russell Gueho.
More than 50 concerned locals attended the meeting in Broome to
hear the bad news.
The arrival of the toad in the Kimberley has been a long time coming
with 102 toads first introduced to Australia from Hawaii in North
Queensland in 1935, to control a beetle attacking sugar cane.
Frogwatch North Australia coordinator Graham Sawyer informed locals
that he has been monitoring the cane toad's effect on the Northern
Territory, and he's noticed some alarming social and environmental
changes.
Quolls, snakes, lizards and even crocodiles have been dying in
large numbers after eating the highly toxic toads.
And when the dry season hits the toads will be heading en masse
into town where they can still get a drink from sources such as
your pet's water bowl. Russell Gueho says this could lead, in every
likelihood, to the death of your furry friend.
He's advocating tough new quarantine restrictions at the border,
including all vehicles to be sprayed with a high-pressure hose containing
chemicals to kill the toads.
Yawuru man Neil MacKenzie told the crowd he feels threatened by
the arrival of the toad and how it will impact on bushtucker and
cultural connections to the land. He's called for the Kimberley
to unite to fight the toad.
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