Invasion of the Cane toads
Cane Toad
© Tim Low
The cane toad is one of the world's 100 worst pest species, according to the World Conservation Union. In Australia, native animals such as snakes, goannas and quolls are killed by the poison contained in glands behind the toad's head, when they try to eat cane toads. Northern quolls in particular have been heavily impacted and are now vulnerable to extinction. In addition to the damage done to larger animals that eat cane toads, these pests also devour just about anything that is smaller than themselves.
WWF is working with governments to strengthen actions against the cane toad. In 2004, WWF sought to have the toads listed as a key threat under Federal environment laws, and to get a national action plan put in place. In 2005, the Australian Government announced that cane toads would be listed as a key threat, however we are still working towards getting a national action plan adopted. We also helped persuade the West Australian Government to start a program to stop or slow down the invasion of toads into the State and to protect WA's vulnerable species.
WWF also works to support community efforts through the Threatened Species Network, including funding on-ground projects to help protect native animals threatened by the cane toad. These include projects that:
- Moved populations of northern quolls from the Northern Territory mainland to two offshore 'cane-toad free' islands. This was done in collaboration with the Northern Land Council, Gumurr Marthakal Indigenous Rangers and the NT Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Quarantined Groote Eylandt off the coast of Arnhem Land against cane toads with the Anindilyakwa Indigenous Rangers setting up traps and containment fences at strategic sites on the island where cane toads might accidently arrive (for example barge landings or airports).
- Undertook a collaborative threatened mammal survey of the Sir Edward Pellew Islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria between Traditional Owners, the Lianthawirriyarra Sea Ranger Unit, outstation communities, trainees, and staff from the NT Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Employed an officer within the Kimberley Land Council to work with Indigenous central Kimberley communities to survey for northern quoll populations.
