Cane toads

First introduced as an ill-conceived method of biocontrol for sugarcane beetles, the cane toad has become an incredibly ecologically damaging species.

Cane toads threaten many predator species, including unique and critically endangered species such as the northern quoll, because of the toxic nature of their skin secretions when ingested. They also compete for food and resources with other native species and are vectors for amphibian disease, such as the fatal chytrid fungus. With the cane toad  invasion front advancing at a faster rate year upon year because of natural selection, potentially expanding the variety of species impacted by cane toads, it is vital that new methods of biocontrol are developed.