NSW biosecurity specialists were called to a property at Mandalong last week following the detection of a colony of cane toads lurking under a sheet of tin.
The NSW Department of Primary Industry’s Vertebrate Pest Biosecurity Manager, Quentin Hart said 17 cane toads had been captured during the ongoing surveillance operation at Mandalong.
“Time is on our side as cane toads are unlikely to be very active until the weather warms, which gives us the opportunity to find them before they leave their hiding places to breed,” he said.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is working with the property owner, local community, Local Land Services, local councils, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the University of Newcastle to assess and eradicate the infestation.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the community now had a critical role to play in stopping these pests from spreading across the region and broader NSW.
“Community members must be diligent in keeping an eye out for and reporting any rogue toads, because the size of this colony at Mandalong indicates there could be many more in the area,” he said.
“Residents can support DPI’s surveillance efforts by checking their yards, looking under and around items on the ground, such as wood piles, pots and metal sheeting, where it’s safe to do so.
“This is not the time for complacency – cane toads pose a significant risk to our domestic and native fauna and it is critical we keep them out of NSW.”
NSW DPI advises people not to harm animals they think could be cane toads, as they might be a native frog, and to contact a biosecurity authority who will be able to identify the species.
Cane toad eggs are in long strings unlike any native frog, often laid in shallow water wound through vegetation and they hatch with 24 to 72 hours.
They can establish in coastal areas, woodlands, forests, freshwater wetlands, and urban areas where they prefer habitats close to water such as around taps, sprinklers, drains, air conditioners and shelter in rock crevices, wood piles, hollows under trees, leaf litter or garden pots.
“We’re asking for people who can confidently handle toads to safely capture them, place them in a high-sided container and contact NSW DPI who will be able to identify the species,” Quentin Hart said.
“Wear protective clothing, disposable gloves, long sleeves and eye protection if you do handle a cane toad, as they can release toxic ooze from the glands behind their head,” Hart said.
Cane toads are a serious biosecurity threat which can have devastating impacts on communities, pets, native wildlife and ecosystems due to their ability to spread to new areas, use limited natural resources and to poison animals that try to eat them.
They can rapidly multiply and be accidentally transported to new locations, for example in freight, green waste and loads of timber.
People travelling from infested areas such as the Pacific Islands, Queensland, Northern Territory and north-eastern NSW should pay attention to ensure they are not carrying a hitchhiker cane toad in their luggage, equipment, vehicle or trailers.
Sightings can be reported by calling DPI’s Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244, Central Coast Council or online at https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/9247
Sue Murray