Kimberley Neighbours Helping Control The Territory's Cane Toad Population

A Western Australian initiative to contain the Northern Territory’s cane toad population has eradicated more than 350,000 adult toads of the invasive species from the North Western region of the Territory.

Environment Minister Alison Anderson today congratulated the Kimberley Toad Busters on their efforts to halt the spread of the species to Western Australia.

Ms Anderson expressed her gratitude to the group on behalf of Territorians. She said the group’s activities complemented the valuable work of Top End cane toad control and community groups, emphasising that cooperation between these groups is essential to the widespread success of toad busting campaigns.

“The Kimberley Toad Busters knew the devastation cane toads have caused in areas of the Northern Territory, including Kakadu National Park, and should be congratulated on their efforts to protect the Kimberley from the negative impacts of the cane toad,” Ms Anderson said.

“The Territory has benefited from the work of the Kimberley Toad Busters, who regularly travel up to 400km into the Northern Territory to capture and euthanize thousands of cane toads using carbon dioxide.”

“The group carries out their work in the Territory with the support of permits from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and permission from land holders on private land,” she said.

The Kununurra-based operation has been active since late 2005, and in that time has galvanised more than 2000 volunteers who take turns at making weekly forays across the border into the Northern Territory’s Victoria River region to capture cane toads.

The group also undertakes field surveys and research into the habits of the cane toad species to facilitate more effective control methods.

Initially funded by community support and later garnering contributions from the Western Australian and Federal governments, the Kimberley Toad Busters have achieved significant inroads in negating the impact of cane toads on the Victoria River area.

The group is spearheaded by Kimberley environmental activists Lee Scott-Viertue and Sandra Boulter and an army of volunteers from a cross section of the Kunurra community, including youth, indigenous groups, businesses and tourists.

Interviews with the group can be arranged.

Contact: Shannon McRae 0419 340 735.

Related files:
Kimberley Toad Busters 0901.pdf ( 96.34 kb )