Cane toads in Australia!
By Robin Burgess
Why? How? What's happening now?!
Australia's major export was sugar, but was threatened by the Cane Beetle. Cane toads have been brought in here from Hawaii as an invasive species. Their purpose is to help our farmers control the population of Cane Beetles, who are detrimental to our sugar crops! The toads were brought in by crates, traveled a long way, and were not even able to be fed. 102 toads have now been introduced to Australia since June 22nd, 1935.
It's not working!
The newly inhabited Cane toads immediately started reproducing causing the population in Australia to rise rapidly. They are everywhere you turn! Unlike the popular opinion, they are not eating Cane grub or beetles. Instead, they are invading! How can they eat the beetles, if they are on ground, while the beetles are in the air? Something must be done.
They are killers!
Not only do the toads inhabit on animals territory, but they are also poisoning our animals! The cane toads are proven to be very toxic to predators, causing the survival rate to be low. The bigger the predator, the better chance of survival. If their dangerous venom gets inside, it causes excruciating pain. This is killing off many animals, especially the Australian reptiles that are at risk of invasion. The toxic glands obtained by these toads make them quite successful as an invasive species. This protects them from predators.
Genius solution
How can the problem be solved?
I believe that every problem must have a solution. In this case, I believe the size of the cane toad population is the biggest issue. How can this get better? Stop the reproducing! With all the advances in science and technology, there must be some way to keep the female toads from being able to reproduce. Throw from sterile toads in there!
I believe that every problem must have a solution. In this case, I believe the size of the cane toad population is the biggest issue. How can this get better? Stop the reproducing! With all the advances in science and technology, there must be some way to keep the female toads from being able to reproduce. Throw from sterile toads in there!
Invasive plant in PA
The Sycamore Maple is an interesting invasive plant in Pennsylvania. It originated from Europe and Western Asia. It was brought here for horticultural purposes. This plant is an ecological threat because each tree can produce a huge numbers and may crowd out native species.