Cane toads are poised to invade Australia鈥檚 Kakadu National Park, a World
Heritage Site. The toads were introduced in the 1930s to control sugar-cane
beetles, but are poisonous to native animals. They have now spread across
north-eastern Australia and may reach Kakadu in the next few weeks. Their spread
could threaten animals such as goannas, which some Aborigines in nearby Arnhem
Land still depend on for food. 鈥淭hese people have maintained a traditional
lifestyle in the face of 200 years of European settlement, but it may get
subverted by a toad,鈥 says John Woinarski of the Northern Territory Parks and
Wildlife Commission.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Mind
THC in cannabis may reduce nightmares in people with PTSD
News
Environment
Fishers detonate a bomb every hour on one Indonesian coral reef
News
Environment
How bad is the UK drought and how long will it continue?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles