Unwanted Visitor Warms To Migration

Newcastle Herald

Saturday July 12, 2008

By MELISSA LYONS

THE first official discovery of a cane toad in Forster-Tuncurry has sparked fears the northern invader could head further south.

Adrian Wood found the unwanted visitor near an artificial drain at the back of his property in north Tuncurry last week.

"I was burning off some green waste out the back near the drain and there it was sitting beside the fire warming itself," Mr Wood said.

Mr Wood believes the toad came from a racecourse behind his property that regularly has horse floats from the North Coast.

Great Lakes Council ecologist Mat Bell said the unusual find had created concern that the amphibian, whose southern limit is in the Yamba area, might have established a small population in the region.

National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman Lawrence Orel said it was a reminder for people to check their vehicles and belongings for cane toads after travelling north.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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