Campbelltown is one of the metropolitan locations where cane toads have been seen in the past 12 months.
In that period there has been an increase in sightings of these ugly creatures in 10 different parts of Greater Sydney, including Penrith.
Now the NSW Government is calling on the community to keep an eye out and report cane toads which have obviously left their natural habitat, Queensland.
Greater Sydney Local Land Services and NSW DPI are working to respond to multiple reports of cane toads crossing the NSW border from Queensland.
“We are seeing a big increase in these sightings with most cases related to the arrival of plant shipments in trucks from Queensland,” says Greater Sydney LLS biosecurity manager Graham Wilson.
“Cane toads pose a serious biosecurity threat to NSW and indeed Australia.
“Despite some close calls over the years we have so far been successful in keeping them from establishing in Sydney.”
Mr Wilson urged the community to keep an eye out for suspected cane toad cases in their local area.
“All members of the public can help keep their local area safe by reporting any sightings to NSW DP through its exotic pest helpline,” he said.
Cane toads pose a serious biosecurity threat in Australia and are considered a pest because they:
• poison pets and injure humans with their toxins
• poison many native animals whose diet includes frogs, tadpoles and frogs’ eggs
• eat large numbers of honeybees, creating a management problem for beekeepers
• prey on small native animals
• compete for food with vertebrate insectivores such as small birds and skinks
• may carry diseases that are can be transmitted to native frogs and fishes.
They are well established in much of Queensland and parts of the Northern Territory. They are also established in coastal areas of Northern NSW as far south as Maclean.
Anyone coming from cane toad infested areas such as Queensland or the Northern Territory are being asked to check their luggage, vehicle or trailer to ensure they are not bringing a cane toad into NSW.
A suspected cane toad should be immediately reported to NSW DPI Biosecurity through its helpline on 1800 680 244, by completing the online form, or emailing a photo of the face and details to invasive.species@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
Visit the NSW DPI website for more information.
