Asia-Pacific
Aussie solution to pesky toads: Export to China?
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-27 15:30
 |
Large Medium Small |
|
 Undated file photo shows a monster toad, said to among the largest ever captured in Australia. [Agencies] |
CANBERRA: Professor Ross Alford of James Cook University on Wednesday supported Australia's plan to export cane toads to China, but said it would do little to cut the destructive pest's population.
"If we can turn it into an export industry that would be one slight plus we're getting from cane toads," Alford said.
Queensland meat processor John Burey originally proposed the idea to establish an export industry to China, where the species is prized for its medicinal values and, in some parts, as a food source.
"If we can satisfy that demand in China I can't see a problem," Alford said.
There are hurdles to overcome before Mr Burey's grand plan can be put into motion, however. He still needed approval from the Chinese and Australian governments, he said to national newspaper The Australian.
The cane toad is now considered a pest and an invasive species in many of its introduced regions; of particular concern is that its toxic skin kills many animals when ingested. The population of cane toads in Australia is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions.
However, trapping large numbers would be time consuming and costly, Alford noted.
He is researching ways to improve the efficiency of traps, using recordings of toad noises and lights to lure the creatures in.
The traps, which bear a resemblance to crab pots, humanely capture the creatures so they can be euthanased later.
Alford said the traps, which can hold up to 20 toads, could be used for commercial purposes.
