In international news:
“Kill a Toad Day” might become a new popular holiday in the large south pacific isle we call Australia. Queensland MP, Shane Knuth, proposed the “Toad Day Out” in response to the success of this invasive species for destroying wildlife.
The Cane Toad was introduced from South America in 1935 as a way of controlling the sugar cane beetle through predation. However, the plan backfired when it was discovered the toads were lacking in jumping ability and could not reach the beetles, which would scurry up the sugar cane stalk out of reach.
The toads turned out to be prolific breeders, with females producing up to 20,000 eggs per mating. Their poisonous skin, leads to the deaths of millions of birds, crocodiles, snakes, and other predators yearly. They have no natural predators…except perhaps now…humans.
Knuth says, “The toad is probably the greatest environmental vermin and probably the most disgusting creature known to man,” referring to its evil demeanor and warty skin. “Basically, we need a special day that Queenlanders, especially children, could all play their part, very similar to ‘Clean Up Australia Day.”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is encouraging citizens to kill humanely. This can be achieved by placing the toad in a plastic bag then throwing it into the freezer. Special collection centers will be available to dispose of the vermin once it is deceased.
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty, said “Obviously we’re not idiots – we understand a lot of people will be highly reluctant to fill their fridges and freezers with dying cane toads, but at the moment that is the only humane way that we can recommend.”
The most famous eradication of a pest from an island belongs to St. Patrick, who is credited with banishing snakes from the isle of Ireland.
It is now a national holiday and celebrated around the world, usually with the colour green and copious amounts of brew. Perhaps in the future generations will look upon Queenlander MP, Shane Knuth, as a Saint for driving out the toads, and we here in America will find another excuse to talk in a cool English based accent and tip our glasses towards the sky.
“Kill a Toad Day” might become a new popular holiday in the large south pacific isle we call Australia. Queensland MP, Shane Knuth, proposed the “Toad Day Out” in response to the success of this invasive species for destroying wildlife.
The Cane Toad was introduced from South America in 1935 as a way of controlling the sugar cane beetle through predation. However, the plan backfired when it was discovered the toads were lacking in jumping ability and could not reach the beetles, which would scurry up the sugar cane stalk out of reach.
The toads turned out to be prolific breeders, with females producing up to 20,000 eggs per mating. Their poisonous skin, leads to the deaths of millions of birds, crocodiles, snakes, and other predators yearly. They have no natural predators…except perhaps now…humans.
Knuth says, “The toad is probably the greatest environmental vermin and probably the most disgusting creature known to man,” referring to its evil demeanor and warty skin. “Basically, we need a special day that Queenlanders, especially children, could all play their part, very similar to ‘Clean Up Australia Day.”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is encouraging citizens to kill humanely. This can be achieved by placing the toad in a plastic bag then throwing it into the freezer. Special collection centers will be available to dispose of the vermin once it is deceased.
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty, said “Obviously we’re not idiots – we understand a lot of people will be highly reluctant to fill their fridges and freezers with dying cane toads, but at the moment that is the only humane way that we can recommend.”
The most famous eradication of a pest from an island belongs to St. Patrick, who is credited with banishing snakes from the isle of Ireland.
It is now a national holiday and celebrated around the world, usually with the colour green and copious amounts of brew. Perhaps in the future generations will look upon Queenlander MP, Shane Knuth, as a Saint for driving out the toads, and we here in America will find another excuse to talk in a cool English based accent and tip our glasses towards the sky.
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