Cane Toads
 

Just filled our pool up and waiting for everything to settle and so far we have rescued 5 toads in 12 hours.

We have looked on the internet and they are Cane Toads which are supposed to be killed - what is the most humanitarian way? We could put a severely injured animal out of its misery but to kill a perfectly healthy animal is something I really have a problem with.

Is there anyway to prevent other small creatures getting in the pool which won't make the pool fencing look worse than it will do when installed. We still have temporary fencing up at the moment.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Re: Cane Toads
 

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CxzMMyEBu2c
;)

Re: Cane Toads
 

Cane toads are a serial pest, they are top of their food chain and so displace indigineous wildlife. They may also kill your dog/cat.

You may have qulams about killing them but by rescuing them you are allowing them to kill wildlife that is naturally here.

Apaprently catching then freezing is a humane way to kill them.

I found that placing a lot of table salt on their back is very effective, others recommend Domestos (and presumably bleach), which may be less humane but as I suggest, you will be doing good for the environment by exterminating cane toads.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Christ almighty!

I get so freaking tired of saying this. Stop torturing the freaking animals. No salt, no domestos, no detol, no golf clubs...

Just pick them up, put them in a plastic tuppaware box and pop them into the freezer and they go to sleep and then die. It's really easy.

They're still animals. You don't club cute fluffy feral kittens to death do you? Cane toads still feel pain just the same as cute fluffy animals do.
Burning them with salt and detol is hugely cruel. So is putting a fork through them.

It's a joke. There are so many introduced animals in Australia. Even dingos aren't 'native' but they've been here so long that Australia thinks they're the native dog.
Cows and sheep aren't native. Blackbirds aren't native. Pigs aren't native...

Humans do far worse damage to the environment in Australia... Look what we've done with farming ... turned much of the place into a desert.
Ironically, the toads were imported from Hawaii to get rid of the Greyback beetle, which was destroying the sugarcane crop. Problem was, the beetle could fly and the Cane Toad couldn't. DOH!
Just another example of sheer stupidity... like bringing rabbits over for food and introducing foxes here so the posh twits could go hunting.

In 2002 the Aus gvt said that it was working on something which would stop the tadpoles of the Cane toads developing into full toads, but I've heard nothing more since. There's also talk of introducing a parasite which will stop the lungs of the toad working and they'll die quickly.

But the bottom line is that cane toads are hugely sucessful breeders and unless you are searching the waterways for their eggs (like a chain or rope of spawn in usually still water) then you haven't got a cat in hell's chance of controlling them by killing them off every night unless there's a community wide approach to doing so.

Aussies used to keep toads as pets. You might like to have a giggle and watch this some time:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS.../broughsbooks/


But please don't think it's acceptable to torture animals, just because they're amphibians.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Long standing attitudes are a hard thing to change, our neighbours kids removed the toads in our garden with golf clubs. Didn't kill them so they moved onn to cricket bats.

Re: Cane Toads
 

And surreally, you let them do it.
Betcha didn't say 'Hey kids, let's not cause these amphibians agonising deaths while you bash the crap out of them... let me show you a new way!'.

:blink:

Re: Cane Toads
 

I agree,

I was a big carp angler in the UK but dont do it here even though theres an abundance of never been caught hard fighting river carp. The reason I dont fish for them here is that you get a fine if you dont cull them and Im afraid theres not many humane ways of killing a carp on the river bank short of clubbing it to death.

Rather then catching say 10+ large carp in 1 session which is very easy to do so, I have caught 1 murry cod (native Australian species) in probably 6-7 trips out due to not wanting to catch carp.

(done plenty of salt water fishing of course but I live in Canberra so a bit away from the sea)

Re: Cane Toads
 

I'm with you TP. If it was some other animal, some place else, being treated like that, then we'd all be up in arms calling for the RSPCA (or equivalent), and quite probably the police to get involved.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Good on you for jumping to conclusions. No I didn't stop them as we were not here at the time, when we got home they were telling our daughter what they had done. Apparently it is a weekly thing they do for fun and we had only just moved in. Did speak to our Aussie neighbour and ask them not to do it but he doesn't see anything wrong with it. That's why I said attitudes are hard to change especially if they are passed on. They don't come on to our garden anymore but I don't see how I can stop them doing it elsewhere.

Re: Cane Toads
 

I know ...
Can you see the headlines... 'Teenagers arrested after clubbing kittens to death'...

Some mistake Aus native frogs for Cane toads... Such as here:
http://www.news.com.au/comments/0,23...-13762,00.html

I cannot for the life of me fathom how someone can go out and club an animal to death. It's surreal.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion.
Can't imagine how kids can be allowed to roam the neighbourhood wandering into gardens at will, torturing animals.
And as for you stopping it, I guess you can always get involved with a local group who rounds these creatures up and disposes of them by freezing... or why not even speak to the kids? Or write to your local paper? Or ask your council about starting up a local frog watch group if you haven't got one.

Re: Cane Toads
 

It's a close knit cul-de-sac, everyone has been here for years all aussie's, we are in the only rental property and none of the previous tenants have lasted longer than 6 months. Defiantly not the Ramsey street life!. The kids are teenagers and just laughed when I was speaking to their dad. Will try the above suggestions ta!. Haven't seen or heard any recently though so hopefully they have moved on.

Re: Cane Toads
 

yes . . . probably to toad heaven. ;)

Re: Cane Toads
 

I'd be asking around on Freecycle for a big chest freezer going for free and working with the council to advertise yourself as a toad disposal unit.
:D (But that's just me)

I like this idea.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...1/s1826071.htm

Just because you live where you live doesn't mean you can't do it differently. Offer something for the kids if they get the most toads alive and bingo, suddenly they'll be your best friend.

I think at the end of the day, it's about education.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Lots of people will happily aim to run over cane toads in their car, especially when there are lot on the road following rains.

The RSPCA suggest putting haemmorhoid cream on their backs then freezing, or better still taking to a vet to euthanise.

I suspect that if we leave it to RSPCA methods the cane toad invasion will continue apace and kill off more indigineous wildlife in QLD, the NT and increasingly in NSW

Re: Cane Toads
 

I'm intrigued by the inclusion of haemmorhoid cream. For what purpose?

I think they're trying to genetically engineer a virus of some description to make the toads sterile . . . although I may be getting confused with Jurassic Park . . . so don't quote me on it!

Re: Cane Toads
 

I believe the cream anaesthetises them, then put them in frdige at 4C for half an hour then into the freezer. They will sow down and their body temp drops and they die humanely apparently.

Problem with this method, I suspect, is few people are prepared to do it. You also need to be wearing gloves and eye protection and of course have to handle the toad directly.

Most people I know seem to ahve a preference for running them over, using dettol or salt. WHile these may be inhumane, the willingness of people to use these methods is presumably a more effective control on numbers than by freezing them.

Re: Cane Toads
 

I've frozen a good few, just drop a tupperware on top, slide the lid underneath, Bob's your uncle. Mind those big mothers can't half jump, so you need to keep a bit of weight on the box.

Re: Cane Toads
 

http://web.cornell.edu/studentblogs/...g-legs-jpg.jpe



And please spare a thought for all those disabled frogs that mankind has created :cry_smile::cry_smile:

Re: Cane Toads
 

Totally agree! and not only that I know people who will happily kill snakes, running over them deliberately when they are only sunning themselves.... and just about anything else in their path, think nothing of it... and then claim to be an "animal lover" :mad:

toads, Goats, pigs rabbits etc are only here cos PEOPLE brought them here! It does NOT give people the right to torture them, and what well balanced person would want to anyway??:curse:

Re: Cane Toads
 

I think the Preparation H paralyses them actually.

Re: Cane Toads
 

I cannot possibly imagine how a slow agonizing freezing death can be more merciful than a quick bat around the head which will kill instantly.

Obviously some people cannot stand blood and gore and prefer to think they are more civilized by freezing an animal rather than being violent towards it, but surely it is what quickly kills the animal with the least amount of suffering that counts.

I think a bat, brick or any heavy object that will instantly smash the brain would be best.

Re: Cane Toads
 

I think the RSPCA's only objection is whether or not a single blow kills. If you aim accuratley and use sufficent force to kill instantly, or ensure you aim centrally with the wheels of your car, then I see no objection to killing toads in this maner, aside from it being a little messy.

Those who beleive in the rights of all animals to live should be more concerned with the devastation that cane toads have on indigineous wildlife. It may seem ironic, but those willing to kill a cane toad quickly are doing more for animal welfare and the sustainability of the Austrlaian environment.

Re: Cane Toads
 

I agree with you, but there are far too many animal rights activists and doo gooders who are too blind to see the bigger picture.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Are you talking about the indigineous wildlife that people happily talk about going out and shooting i.e. Kangeroos?

Re: Cane Toads
 

I don't think there is a shortage of Kangaroos, if there shot for food then why not, Kangaroo meat is very tasty and healthy.

Re: Cane Toads
 

They are not all shot for food...they are mostly shot for sport and the bodies left to rot or end up as crab bait.

G

Re: Cane Toads
 

My point was....the reason these animals are here is because they were introduced by humans therefore a more imaginative reponse to the problem by the current inhabitants is required...... lack of consideration of indigenous wildlife is the fault of humans in the past, and is a legacy we need to deal with...that doesn't mean standards of animal welfare go out the window in my book. Is that a bigger enough picture for you?

Jackie do-gooder

Re: Cane Toads
 

Cane Toads and actually, quite a few other amphibious creatures have a natural mechanism that causes them to go into a state of hibernation quite naturally when they are cold. Obviously you don't know about that.

Here's an interesting study for you to read:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0826115906.htm

What may seem slow and agonising for you is not for a toad. They naturally go to sleep when they're cold. This is why some toads and frogs in certain countries can burrow themselves and go to sleep for a winter, or a drought, and wake up months later when the rains or heat arrives back.

I don't have any objection to blood and gore... but one smash doesn't do it for many cane toads, which results in a long, slow, agonising, bashing death.

Re: Cane Toads
 

How odd you think that just because I believe in not torturing animals and giving them a better death, makes me less concerned for the indigenous wildlife.

How have you reached that conclusion exactly?

And your second point, how will collecting 100 toads a night and putting them to death through kinder methods do less than someone willing to bash 100 toads over the head? Can you tell me exactly what advantage to animal welfare this has? I'm struggling to see your point so perhaps you can enlighten us all.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Do tell, what is the bigger picture we're missing?

What's the advantage in cruelty over non cruelty precisely?

Re: Cane Toads
 

Indeed... with little discrimination by many hoons who shoot for sport, to see whether the roo has a joey, (even though there are rules about this) which leaves a whole heap of baby roos having to be rescued and hand reared by volunteers who give a damn.

Re: Cane Toads
 

IF the death is fast there is no cruelty in either method. I would think any animal would go to sleep when being frozen, humans do the same but the feel pain, as to toads not feeling pain, I doubt it would be painless but if I am wrong I apologise and stand corrected.

I did not say anyone one here is missing the bigger picture but there are certainly a lot of activists who take things too far, in the UK they dug up a dead body to try and make a point and have attacked people.

Anyway I cannot see what the fuss is about there are more things to worry about, ie babies being killed by adults, child abuse and such than to worry about how a few toads may suffer, personally I don't care if they suffer or not, I would however not be happy to see a kangaroo shot for nothing.

Re: Cane Toads
 

That's the point. Usually the bashing death is not fast.

Ok, cool. You're for bashing toads, but against shooting roos.

Ok, good well I'm glad we clarified that.

Re: Cane Toads
 

Dont miss quote people, that is not what is written

Re: Cane Toads
 

My God I bet your the type of person who would love to go on a Seal pup bashing spree as well.

As in the Middle East you just don't get it do you! If society doesn't look after its animals who have no voice, then society will not move on an improve itself and the welfare of the human race.

I am not an animal rights activist and I object to these people and the way they do things. However if an animal needs to be put down then there is no reason or excuse for it not to be done humanely.

For your info frog/toads and snails are cold blooded and will actually go into deep hibination (sleep) when temperatures drop, so freezing is very humane as they just go to sleep before actually being frozen. You cannot in anyway compare their metabolism with a humans or warm blooded creature.

Re: Cane Toads
 

:rolleyes:

Re: Cane Toads
 

[QUOTE=ray2gill;7062575]My God I bet your the type of person who would love to go on a Seal pup bashing spree as well.

As in the Middle East you just don't get it do you! If society doesn't look after its animals who have no voice, then society will not move on an improve itself and the welfare of the human race.

...........

Re: Cane Toads
 

I think you are a hypocrite.

You are upset because someone may or may not kill a toad with a bat, which if performed correctly will result in instant death.

Your argument against this is that if not performed correctly then it may result in a slow painful death.

Yet you condone the use of a parasite which will stop the lung of the toad working, this will not be a quick death it will be slow and painful.

You are obviously upset about all the dickheads who play golf with toads, fair enough I don't agree with that either, but there is nothing wrong with clubbing a toad if performed correctly, just because you don't like the idea does not make it barbaric or violent.

The comment you made about damage to the environment by farming is just bloody stupid, people have to eat, or perhaps you know a better way, would you prefer people go hungry so toads have more room to live.

Re: Cane Toads
 

What? you bet I like bashing seals, where does that come from, one extreme to the other, I think you are a part time activist.

And yeah you are right, Australia is about to explode, one more toad basher and it will turn into Afghanistan.. what a load of rubbish. If you are not an activist you should join up, you could be a spokesperson with talk like that.

I look after animals but not that I have to justify that to you, I can however see sense and realise that a quick blow to the head performed correctly is far more merciful than being stuck in someones freezer scared sh1tless for half a night.

Its a good job you are a minority or the meat industry would grind to a halt in a day.