More toads in Australia

1990/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Zoologia

The cane toad extends to eastern and northern Australia. The toad entered Australia 50 years ago. Through it was intended to fight the beetle that caused so much damage in the sugar canes, but later other animals that eat toad have been poisoned.

However, biologists do not coincide with the influence of apous on the ecology of the environment. Despite the death of crocodiles, koalas, lizards and snakes, no concrete scientific research has been done.

Several scientists have defended the biological control of the toad. The most common biological control is done by viruses or bacteria. Others consider that before establishing any type of control it is necessary to know better the characteristics of the toad. Otherwise, good results can be replaced by bad ones.

The Australian administration advises that an Australian biologist will travel to the original land of the toad, that is, to South America and Central America, to find a control mechanism that can be used in Australia.