NPWS

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) confirmed today that a cane toad has been found in a northern suburb of Wollongong.

The ten centimetre feral toad was found on the veranda of a suburban house in Woonona yesterday morning by the householder.

NPWS South Coast Regional Manager, Diane Garrood, said today that there was no way of knowing just how it got to Wollongong but its presence is of great concern.

“As most people would be aware, the cane toad is legend as one of Australia’s greatest environmental pests since it was introduced in the 1930s as a failed biological control agent to combat the cane beetle that was destroying northern Australian sugar cane crops.

“Since then it has spread right across northern Australia and into northern NSW with successful breeding recorded as far south as Port Macquarie.

“We think the greater likelihood is that it is a hitch hiker and has arrived by accident on some mode of transport from northern Australia.

“It could have arrived in a box of bananas, on a boat or even on a truck. We have no way of knowing.

“However, we are concerned by yesterday’s discovery as this animal has had a very serious impact on the environment because it is poisonous to anything that eats it and many native predators such as goannas, birds and other carnivores have perished after consuming one. It is a serious threat to cats and dogs.

“It is unlikely to be breeding here but if there are any more cane toads in the Wollongong area then we’d like to find them quickly.

“If anyone does see one then they should contact us as soon as possible. People should be very careful when handling these animals. They should be handled with gloves and placed in a box.

“I would urge people not to kill any frogs until they’ve had them properly identified as cane toads can easily be mistaken for other native frogs.

“If you’ve found what you think might be a cane toad then call the nearest office of the NPWS or call the environment line on 131555,” Ms Garrood said.

Information on how to identify a cane toad as well its call can be found at here.