Recent studies have shown compelling evidence that foreign toads are killing off our native Australian animals. Farmers had begun to notice pests among their sugarcane crops, which greatly reduced their production. To solve the pest problem, they introduced the cane toads to feed on these pests. They were introduced from central South-America to benefit the farmer’s sugarcane crops without considering any future consequences. Little did they know that these toads are toxic. This resulted in a greater problem for the overall ecosystem, which has now lead to an ecological catastrophe. The toxic toads are now disturbing a vast number of native species and the overall environment. A solution needs to be found to resolve the devastation that has now been brought upon our society. Some researches have attempted to eliminate the issue, however none have been successful.
Over the years, scientists have noticed a significant decrease in the population of small toad-eating animals. These animals include reptiles, small snakes, marsupials, and particularly quolls. An experiment was conducted using quolls in a conditioned taste aversion test. A chemical was inserted into the toxic toads so that when they were eaten, the quolls would defer their appetite for them. This was an attempt to reduce quolls from eating the toxic toads in hopes to restore quoll species. This experiment did restore the quoll population, however resulted in a greater abundance of the toxic toads. Other small animals are becoming even more endangered due to the increased abundance.
Another experiment had been conducted to attempt to control the population of toads themselves. The negative consequence of introducing another foreign predator was considered once the problem had been established. Therefore, a native predator had been directed to feed on the toads. Meat ants had been lured into nearby water bodies with cat-food. These ants can prey on small toads. This experiment did result in a decrease in the toad population, yet naturally we cannot continuously add cat-food to attract the ants.
There has not been any solution viable to stop the invasion of the cane toads so they are now being seen everywhere dominating our land. You’ve probably seen many in your gardens, came close to stepping on some or even driven over some. Researchers have seen that even long after death, the toxic toads are continually damaging our ecosystems. Because the toads are spreading everywhere, more and more of them are becoming road-kill. Another study has shown that those toads are being accumulated in roadside water-bodies. The water quality was tested to show that the toxic chemical found in cane toads was affecting the species that require the water.
More research needs to be done to stop the snowball effect that is beginning with our small animals that are furthermore affecting the entire ecosystem, including human society. With more research, we can conserve our overall health of the ecosystem from our native species down to our water bodies. In future pest problems, invasive species should be thoroughly studied to discern any future environmental complications.
- Australian Times
