A bevy of small mammals and lizards could find themselves on the endangered species list if cane toads got into the Pilbara. A bold plan could prevent the biodiversity disaster, but more money is needed to fund the project before toads reach the coast in 2026–27.
A $12 million plan to upgrade cattle station water infrastructure is being pushed as a chance to halt Australia's cane toad invasion entering the Pilbara.
Cane toads could take advantage of unprotected bores, used at cattle watering points, to make their way into the Pilbara region.In their wake is a litter of bodies; small carnivorous mammals and reptiles that have not evolved to eat what seems like an easy meal without dying en masse. Just who pays for the project is up in the air, however, with pressure on the resources industry to step-in., proposes taking advantage of a natural bottleneck between the Great Sandy Desert and the Indian Ocean between Broome and Port Hedland.
Now there are only three years left until the 2026–27 wet season, when the toads are expected to reach the narrow strip, spurring a new group into action.is an alliance of Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation, Karajarri Traditional Lands Association, pastoralists, Curtin University, Deakin University and national resource management organisation Rangelands NRM.
Professor Shine, who is not part of the project, said making predictions on whether a waterless barrier would prevent cane toads getting to the Pilbara was fraught with uncertainties."With a sufficiently wide waterless barrier, toads are unlikely to be able to make it through." Rangers will play an active role in toad prevention within the barrier where water can pool on the plains in the wet season.He said 50 watering points on his 400,000 hectare station, which is about 200km south of Broome, would need to be upgraded.
"We're predicting that the two blue-tongues in the Pilbara are basically operating in the same niche, so it's likely the same thing is going to happen ."Dr Dunlop said culturally important species like goannas and skinks, important food sources for traditional owners, would also be all but wiped out.The WA government has put up $337,000 towards community and stakeholder consultation for the plan, but most of the proposed $12 million cost is uncommitted.
Invasive Species Pests Waterless Barrier Toad Barrier Toad Containment Zone Great Sandy Desert EPBC
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