Toxic toads killing crocs
2001-05-02 11:27
Darwin - Crocodiles, which have long been among the most feared of
Australia's many deadly creatures, may have met their match in the
tropical Northern Territory - toads.
A highly unpopular, introduced species known as the cane toad has
been blamed for the death of eight large freshwater crocs in the
tourist mecca of Katherine Gorge, wildlife officials said on
Wednesday.
The cane toad, whose leathery skin is poisononous to anything
eating it, was thought until recently to have been contained in the
eastern state of Queensland since it found its way there from
America in the 1930s.
But the recent sight of the crocs belly-up in the picturesque gorge
is seen as the most stark evidence so far that the notorious pest
has gained a foothold in neighbouring Northern Territory where its
arrival was confirmed only weeks ago.
"The Katherine Gorge is the first real tourism icon where the
impact has shown itself," Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife
Commission (PWC) conservation management officer Simon Stirrat
said.
"The dead crocodiles have been found in the gorge proper where all
the tourist boats go and that happened this wet season, only in the
past couple of months."
The deep gorge, just south of Kakadu National Park, is a busy
thoroughfare for tourists and often provides their first glimpse of
crocodiles.
While a crocodile that swallows a toad will die in about an hour,
the PWC has greater concern for other native creatures such as
goannas and native cats, which are already in decline.
"A crocodile floating belly-up in the water is something that is
very noticeable," Stirrat said.
"Most of the impact on the native fauna probably won't be
noticeable to tourists.
"The main impact as far as tourists are concerned will probably be
on the tourist amenities."
He said the toads would congregate in numbers at the Katherine
Gorge camp ground, where they would be attracted to the open lawns
and lights. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA