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Saturday, 18 March 2006, 09:13 GMT

Australians hunt down toxic toads

By Phil Mercer
BBC News, Darwin

Cane toad Residents in Australia's Northern Territory are staging a day of action to stop marauding cane toads.

They are being encouraged to hunt and destroy these toxic pests, which have spread in plague-like numbers across tropical Australia.

The cane toads were introduced from South America 70 years ago in a failed attempt to eradicate cane beetles.

They are big, ugly creatures and their advance has taken them to the outskirts of Darwin.

Residents are being urged to defend the front-line on "Not In My Backyard Day", which is sponsored by the Northern Territory government.

'Flog them'

Federal MP Dave Tollner says that the toads deserve no mercy.

"I suggested that people should hit them with golf clubs or cricket bats or, you know, lumps of wood - whatever was at hand.

"The only fun bit about them is squashing them and killing them"
Schoolgirl

"Other people have suggested that you should put them in a box and then gas them with the exhaust of your car. The RSPCA also suggests chemical euthanasia.

"You know, to me it seems far easier just to flog them over the head with a lump of wood," he says.

The toads have become a serious hazard to local wildlife.

Crocodiles have died after eating their toxic skin, while lizards have been no match for them either.

Humane alternative

Safe to say that cane toads have few friends in Australia's lush tropics.

"I think they're really disgusting and the only fun bit about them is squashing them and killing them," a schoolgirl says.

Map of Australia

Asked whether she thinks that is a bit mean, she replies: "No, not to me... Because cane toads are disgusting!"

Australia's RSPCA believes that these warty creatures are a menace and should be destroyed.

It recommends that they be smeared with haemorrhoid cream.

It contains a local anaesthetic that induces a coma.

The toads are then placed in a freezer and the job is done humanely.



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Related to this story:
Toxic toads 'threaten disaster' (15 Feb 06 |  Science/Nature )
Australia MP targets toxic toads (11 Apr 05 |  Asia-Pacific )
Snakes bite back at poison toads (08 Dec 04 |  Science/Nature )
Toxic toads threaten north Australia (19 Jan 01 |  Asia-Pacific )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
RSPCA Australia
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