Woman forced to buy second-hand fridge to fight invasive species sweeping Australia
Cassie Fenton, 29, recently moved to the Sunshine Coast and told Yahoo News she was shocked by the sheer number of the toads roaming around her property. After doing some research, and learning they are one of Australia's most infamous invasive species, she decided to roll up her sleeves and help authorities try to get rid of them.
"I've caught 214 cane toads in just 12 nights in my backyard," Cassie told Yahoo News. "I catch them with tongs. They're my dedicated toad tongs, as you can't use them for food due to the toad's poison. Then I put them into a container."
Footage of Cassie's efforts show her running around her backyard in the dark collecting the nocturnal species while wearing a head torch. She later euthanises them.
"I use RSPCA's method of stepped hypothermia for humane euthanasia," she explained.
"I've also tried 'HopStop' sold at Bunnings."
Due to cane toads being larger than native frogs and their toxin lethal, they easily outcompete and kill many of Australia's native wildlife. Since being first introduced in north Queensland in 1935 to control pest beetles in sugar cane crops — which was an unsuccessful attempt — cane toads have spread through the state into the Northern Territory, Western Australia and the northern coast of New South Wales.
States and territories have outlined their own way to humanely kill cane toads. However, in Queensland there are two methods recommended by the RSPCA.
The first option is HopStop — a product that you spray directly onto the cane toad and it quickly kills it. The second is the stepped hypothermia method, which involves placing it into a refrigerator at four degrees Celsius for 12 hours, before moving it into a freezer at -20 degrees for at least 24 hours. The first step anaesthetises it and the second painlessly kills it.
"I actually got a second-hand fridge and freezer from Facebook Marketplace for $50, otherwise I would not be doing this option because I don't want toads in my fridge," Cassie said.
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Cane toads are moving at an estimated 40 to 60 kilometres per year across the country, according to the National Museum of Australia. Authorities say it is unlikely a broad scale method will be found to control the species, so every possible way of protecting vulnerable native species is crucial.
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