Comments mudduck1 has made

More on the Cane Toad and other Ausie plagues

As someone who was priviledged to spend ten days in the Daintree Rainforest (North Queensland) in '05, and in Costa Rica the spring before, I have affection for Cane Toads in their native habitat (CR) and distain for them where they shouldn't be.

I doubt the average citizen going out and doing away with a few of the invaders makes much difference in the big picture.  But if you do want to feel like you're helping, don't just "throw them out".  Something else may eat the toxic toads and "croak" themselves.  That's a big part of the problem.

Another terrible problem in the Daintree is feral hogs, which are decimating the forest floor.  That's rare plants, snails, insects, native amphibians and much more.  Even the magnificent Southern Cassowary is at risk in a dirrect competition for certain fruits and seeds.

Now that these darn things are there, what to do about them?  A local eco-guide told me the state governemnt makes it very difficult to do away with the hogs, even regulating how and where the carcuses must be buried.

Here in the states, shooting hogs may not eliminate them as a problem, but it makes much more of an impact than killing the super-prolific cane toads.

Perhaps the Queensland government should consider a bait and shoot operation for their feral hogs, using government-certified sharpshooters, much as they do here in Minnesota for problem deer.

As for the toads, I am afraid they really can't be stopped, unless you have a magic virus that absolutely will not mutate to kill native wildlife.

Mudduck1On Umbra on albedo posted 2 years, 6 months ago 4 Responses