Australia invaded

 
Published: Saturday 31 March 2001

Cane toads (Bufo marinus) introduced in Australia in the 1930s to control the sugarcane beetle are poised to invade the Australian Kakadu National Park, a world heritage site. The toads are poisonous to the native animals found in the region. They have spread across north-eastern Australia and could reach Kakadu in the next few weeks. The invading exotic species could threaten the existence of animals such as goannas, which some aboriginal tribes living in proximity of the park depend on for food (New Scientist , Vol 169, No 2276).

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