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The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) has been gearing up since July to fight increased wet season cane toad activity in the Kimberley.
CALM has been working together with the NT government agencies and FrogWatch NT on trap designs and trap locations, recruiting additional staff, responding to enquiries and undertaking extensive liaison with community members, land holders and managers in both the NT and WA.
Presently, 42 traps are on the ground and an additional 22 are planned to be established within the next week at Victoria River Bridge and at an area five to 10 kilometres west of the bridge, where the river and the highway are situated in a narrow corridor between ranges.
Trapping and searches are also concentrating on any river crossings and shallow areas with an increased risk of cane toad movement across the river.
The team is conducting regular day and night searches and picking up an increasing number of cane toads in the vicinity of the Victoria River Roadhouse, now that the cane toads are starting to become more active with the weather warming up.
This activity has been complemented by volunteer efforts.
CALM is in ongoing liaison with Conservation WA, Stop The Toad Foundation and other interested parties and community groups.
In the months ahead, there will be an increased focus on field activities including trapping, day and night searches, picking up of any cane toads, an ongoing survey of areas with increased risk of cane toad presence and a survey of cane toad movement and extent in preparation for the wet season.
A grid of traps will be established in an area where cane toad movement is expected in a narrow corridor between range country.
Trapping and searches are also concentrating on river crossings and shallow areas.
The new traps can be set and left unattended in the field for up to two weeks catching toads. |
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