The discovery of a mature cane toad in South West Rocks has prompted North Coast Local Land Services to remind all residents of the Mid North Coast to keep a look out for these invasive pests.
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North Coast Local Land Services senior officer Max Osborne is hopeful that the male toad, found at Oxley Place near the golf course on December 5, is a one-off.
Mr Osborne said that while cane toads are spotted occasionally on the Mid North Coast, they should always be reported.
“About 10 years ago there was a breeding population of toads in Port Macquarie which was eradicated,” he said.
“Every now and then we get alerted to the odd sighting from random locations across the Mid North Coast from Maria River to Toorooka however we are reasonably confident that these are all vagrant individual specimens that may have accidentally been relocated via vehicles from Queensland.”
“While cane toads are unfortunately common in northern NSW, any cane toads found south of about Brooms Head should be put in a container and reported to your local NPWS office.”
The spread of cane toads is particularly worrying given the alarming rates at which they have evolved attributes making them more adaptable to southern conditions.
“There is a lot of research showing that these pests are evolving at alarming rates. Within 25 or so generations, toads have measurable physiological changes from the original toads that were released in north Queensland to control cane beetles in 1935. Now some toads are showing that they can tolerate cooler climates, hop further and travel distances faster, allowing them to spread far and wide across Australia.”
To assist with correct identification of the cane toad, look for a bony ridge on their head, a large ear drum between the eye and the large gland on their shoulder, unwebbed hands, webbed toes and dry warty skin.
Mr Osborne said it was crucial that sightings are reported to prevent the establishment of a breeding population, with toads devastating not only for the environment, but for pet cats and dogs if they try to eat them.
“The community needs to assist with stopping toads from establishing breeding colonies in our Mid North Coast backyards and beautiful wetlands by capturing and/or reporting any sightings.”
“We really don’t want breeding pairs to get together in our wetlands.”
Anyone concerned about a cane toad sighting can contact the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) on 1300 361 967 or North Coast Local Land Services offices on 1300 795 299.
