Cane Toads were initially introduced to North Queensland to North Queensland, Australia from Hawaii in July 1935 by the Australian Bureau of Sugar Experimental Station. Around 100 were imported to Merging Experimental Station near Cairns and 3000 were released to stop the infestation of the French Cane Beetle and Grey-back Cane Beetle from eating cane sugars at the time. These
beetles were a major issue as its larvae eats the roots of sugar canes, kills or stunts the plant. Since then the toads bred and spread rapidly towards south into New South Whales and into the west to the Northern Territory. This action that was undertaken has proved unsuccessful in controlling the beetles and is now known as pests due to their destruction to the ecosystem.
beetles were a major issue as its larvae eats the roots of sugar canes, kills or stunts the plant. Since then the toads bred and spread rapidly towards south into New South Whales and into the west to the Northern Territory. This action that was undertaken has proved unsuccessful in controlling the beetles and is now known as pests due to their destruction to the ecosystem.
Bibliography:
Images.nationalgeographic.com. 1935. Cane Toad: Photos, Video, Facts, E-card, Map -- National Geographic Kids. [online] Available at: http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/sites/kids/NGS/wpf/printcreature/cane-toad.html [Accessed: 6 Sep 2013].
Images.nationalgeographic.com. 1935. Cane Toad: Photos, Video, Facts, E-card, Map -- National Geographic Kids. [online] Available at: http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/sites/kids/NGS/wpf/printcreature/cane-toad.html [Accessed: 6 Sep 2013].