Unless there is a major breakthrough in control, cane toads (Bufo marinus) are expected to invade Western Australia from the Northern Territory within the next five years. It is important that members of the public can recognise these exotic pests and kill them as safely and humanely as possible, wherever they are encountered.
Cane toads were introduced to Queensland from South America in the 1930s in an ill-fated attempt to control sugar cane beetles. Instead, the cane toad spread rapidly across Northern Australia to become a major pest species in its own right. Cane toads now pose a serious threat to Western Australia's unique wildlife and ecosystems.
The cane toad is a ground-dwelling, opportunistic predator that mainly eats insects such as ants and termites but is able to eat any prey it can fit into its mouth, including small lizards, snakes, frogs, mammals and snails.
Importantly, the cane toad is poisonous in all its life stages, from egg to adult. Adult cane toads produce poison from glands over their upper surface, but especially from bulging glands behind their eyes - these can exude and even squirt poison when cane toads are provoked.
This poison causes rapid death from heart failure in most small animals when ingested and is toxic to people. Because the poison can also be absorbed through body tissues, such as those of the eyes, mouth and nose, even animals that "mouth" a cane toad are often affected by the poison. Domestic dogs and cats, by their predatory nature, are at risk of poisoning. It is also very important that children do not play with or harass cane toads.
Cane toads should only be killed by adult persons who take precautions not to place themselves or others at risk from exposure to the cane toad poison.
Killing pest animals is permitted under Western Australia's animal welfare legislation as long as the methods used are as humane as possible. The most humane ways of killing cane toads are, however, not available to most people, either because they involve the need for restricted drugs or poisons or a degree of specialist training.
The State Government has endorsed an easily achieved and acceptable method of cane toad destruction for use by 'members of the public'. This method has been agreed upon by all key stakeholders, including the RSPCA WA (Inc), the Health Department, the Animal Welfare Unit of the Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Importantly, it minimizes the risk that people killing cane toads will be exposed to cane toad toxin.
The preferred method for the 'general public' to kill cane toads is to first cool the toads and then freeze them. This has been demonstrated in other states as the method of choice for general cane toad destruction.
Cane toads are not currently found in Western Australia, but there have been reports of people misidentifying native frogs as toads. This still occurs interstate, including in areas cane toads have inhabited for many years.
Therefore, if you find what you think could be a cane toad, it is essential you restrain the animal (in a bag or container with air holes) and report it to the Department of Agriculture's cane toad hotline on freecall 1800 084 881, tel. 9368 3666 or by emailing info@agric.wa.gov.au before you attempt to kill the animal. Advice will be immediately given as to how to confirm whether the animal is a cane toad. This will hopefully prevent native frogs being mistakenly killed as toads, while helping to ensure that toads found in areas previously free of the pests, are adequately dealt with.
If a confirmed cane toad is to be killed, the following steps should be followed:
People can transport cooled cane toads in bags/containers described above to DAWA or CALM offices. (It is critical that cane toads do not escape in transit. If escape does occur please inform DAWA or CALM personnel as soon as possible.) Live cane toads can also be collected by DAWA or CALM officers. These toads will be killed using the most humane methods available to experienced personnel. These methods include using targeted blunt trauma to the head, followed by decapitation to ensure death; use of carbon dioxide gas or use of registered chemicals.
Cruelty to cane toads is against the law and is punishable by heavy penalties. Only people who are experienced using blunt trauma to kill animals humanely should attempt to kill cane toads using this method. For this method to be humane, cane toads should be knocked unconscious by a single blow to the head, followed by decapitation. The cane toad secretes a toxin that can be poisonous to humans and animals. When the toxin is squirted onto the skin or into the eyes, first aid should be immediately performed. The toxin can cause pain and severe irritation to the eyes, or temporary visual disturbances.
First aid treatment includes irrigating (washing with a lot of water) the eyes, mouth and nose if they have been exposed to toad venom. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist. When handling any frog or toad, protect the eyes, wear gloves, and thoroughly wash hands before and after touching the animal. If toxin is squirted into the mouth, the patient should be taken immediately to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. When swallowed, the toxin may affect the heart, blood pressure, breathing and cause paralysis.
If symptoms persist, poisoning advice is available on 13 11 26 anywhere in Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Useful information on first aid can also be found at the First aid page of the Queensland Poisons Information Centre.
Further information, including cane toad "facts" such as history, ecology, impact and control measures, can be accessed at www.agric.wa.gov.au
If you think you have seen a cane toad or require other information, please contact the Department of Agriculture's cane toad hotline on freecall 1800 084 881, tel. 9368 3666 or by emailing info@agric.wa.gov.au