Cane toad makes it to South Hedland in a croak of luck
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is reminding communities in the Pilbara to remain vigilant following the discovery of a live cane toad at a South Hedland residence.
The cane toad was found by Damien Jilley who promptly contacted the department through the cane toad hotline.
He was advised to capture the toad to ensure it could be correctly identified as a cane toad.
Damien of South Hedland said he had just arrived home from work when he noticed his dog jump back while chasing a frog around the pool.
“I went over and found that it was a funny looking frog so I went and looked it up on the internet,” he said.
Damien said he suspected it was a cane toad but wanted to make sure it was not a native frog.
“I thought I’d ring DEC and see what they had to say, we sent some photos through to them and they confirmed it was a cane toad,” he said.
The DEC came to collect the toad, which Damien described as motley coloured, structured and ugly.
The toad had structured, raised eyes and what Damien describes as an “M” shaped head.
Damien’s advice to any one in the Pilbara that might come across an odd looking amphibian is to investigate it to see what you can find out about the species.
Damien added, “Who knows? It might be a new type of frog and you might get it named after you”.
Local wildlife officers will this week inspect the area for any other possible toads.
DEC State Cane Toad Initiative program coordinator Corrin Everitt said they are yet to determine how the individual arrived in the area.
“It is possible that the cane toad may have been inadvertently transported here in freight from a toad infested area either interstate or in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia,” she said.
In Western Australia, cane toad populations are present in and around Kununurra, with breeding occurring in irrigation areas.
Anyone who finds a suspected cane toad should isolate the animal and report the sighting to the DEC cane toad hotline immediately on 1800 44 WILD (9453).
Tags: amphibian, cane toad, environment, News, north west, Pilbara, reptile, science, south hedland
