A cane toad found and bagged on Saibai Island has triggered an urgent biosecurity response across the region. Photos: Torres Strait Regional Authority.
A toxic hitchhiker has been captured in one of the Cape’s most pristine islands.
The live cane toad discovered on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait marks the furthest north the pest has spread in Australia – sparking alarm and urgent action by local rangers.
While not a first for the region, it is the first time a cane toad has been found on the outer island of Saibai.
It is suspected the rogue toad hopped aboard a vessel and survived the sea voyage undetected.
Mura Buway Rangers from the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) spotted the hitchhiking pest at the local wharf and captured it to stop the spread.
The discovery marks a troubling – and unwanted – milestone for the remote region ahead of wet season.
While there are toads on inner islands, it is one of the rare incidents cane toads – an invasive, introduced species – have reached any of the 14 outer islands of the Torres Strait.
TSRA Mura Buway Ranger David Garama said teams had been working day and night since the toad was caught in September.
“This cane toad is a first for us on Saibai but not the kind we celebrate,” Mr Garama said.
“TSRA Rangers jumped straight into action by alerting the community, running night patrols and stepping up cane toad monitoring beyond our regular schedule.
“Our islands are precious and we know once cane toads impact our environment, the damage can’t be undone.”
Adding to the alarm, a recent water sample has detected cane toads on Ugar Island.
Further tests are underway to confirm the result while rangers carry out night surveys to check for adult toads and signs of breeding.
Concerns have arisen the pest may be silently spreading across the culturally and environmentally rich region.
Culturally significant species such as the crocodile, frilled-neck lizard, goanna (Australian varanids), great egret and Papuan black snake are feared to be among the most at risk if cane toads spread to the islands.
A recent water sample has detected cane toads on Ugar Island.
