The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AN INVASIVE species of toad with mucus poison enough to kill small animals has been discovered in western New Providence.

The Cane Toad, which can produce around 30,000 eggs at once and possibly twice in its life cycle, was identified on August 8, 2013 by a Lyford Cay resident who then notified the Bahamas National Trust (BNT).

A Cane Toad responds to threat by turning side-on so its glands are directed towards the attacker. The poison usually oozes out of the glands, but toads can squirt a fine spray for a short distance if they are handled roughly.

Although the toad identified was captured and killed shortly afterwards, Minister of the Environment Kenred Dorsett said yesterday there were further sightings and possible breeding within the Lyford Cay pond.

He could not say how the toad made its way to New Providence.

Residents throughout the island are being cautioned to avoid making contact with the toad as it can cause severe skin irritation or death if eaten.

Officials also urge persons to avoid leaving pet food outside as it is a favourite food of the toad.

Several biology websites have said the Cane Toad eats anything it can swallow including beetles, honey bees, ants, winged termites, crickets and bugs. Occasionally, it may consume marine snails, smaller toads, native frogs, small snakes, and small mammals.

Mr Dorsett said: “We are unable to definitively say how long the Cane Toads have been here. Despite anecdotal reports of possible Cane Toad sightings outside of the Lyford Cay area - Charlotteville, Adelaide and St Alban’s Drive - these are all unconfirmed so we generally think they are still confined to the Lyford Cay area.

Nevertheless, the public should be on alert for sightings of this toad.

“Evidence of reproduction within freshwater and brackish ponds was uncovered. Bodies of waters were sampled by the Department of Environmental Health services and the pond where tadpoles were observed was chemically treated.”

Officials at the BNT said in order to control the species, which has been described as a ‘good hitchhiker’ and stowaway in packages, all life stages including eggs, tadpoles and adults have to be captured and killed. The toad is also known for burrowing into soil.

If not there is the potential for them to reproduce and spread quickly throughout the Bahamas, said BNT Director of Science and Policy Vanessa Haley-Benjamin.

“Worst case scenario, based on reports from Australia, the Cane Toad has the ability to travel about 10km in the first year and then it starts to speed up because of natural selection it can then travel up to 30 to 40km so we are talking about 6 to 40 miles in a year. So imagine Nassau - that means it will completely cover Nassau,” she said.

If there is a sighting of the toad do not, officials said, take it from where it was sighted, attempt to sell it to a pet shop or try to collect a pair - male and female.

The BNT said that if toxin get on the skin, an open wound or into eyes, seek medical attention.

For pets look out for drooling, head shaking, crying, loss of coordination and in more serious instances, convulsions.

The dog’s or cat’s gums often turn red which is an indicator used by veterinarians to distinguish toad poisoning.

Nevertheless, the public should be on alert for sightings of this toad.

“Evidence of reproduction within freshwater and brackish ponds was uncovered. Bodies of waters were sampled by the Department of Environmental Health services and the pond where tadpoles were observed was chemically treated.”

Officials at the BNT said in order to control the species, which has been described as a ‘good hitchhiker’ and stowaway in packages, all life stages including eggs, tadpoles and adults have to be captured and killed. The toad is also known for burrowing into soil.

If not there is the potential for them to reproduce and spread quickly throughout the Bahamas, said BNT Director of Science and Policy Vanessa Haley-Benjamin.

“Worst case scenario, based on reports from Australia, the Cane Toad has the ability to travel about 10km in the first year and then it starts to speed up because of natural selection it can then travel up to 30 to 40km so we are talking about 6 to 40 miles in a year. So imagine Nassau - that means it will completely cover Nassau,” she said.

If there is a sighting of the toad do not, officials said, take it from where it was sighted, attempt to sell it to a pet shop or try to collect a pair - male and female.

The BNT said that if toxin get on the skin, an open wound or into eyes, seek medical attention.

For pets look out for drooling, head shaking, crying, loss of coordination and in more serious instances, convulsions.

The dog’s or cat’s gums often turn red which is an indicator used by veterinarians to distinguish toad poisoning.