A small number of cane toads have been detected in NSW, prompting a call for residents to keep an eye out for the unwanted pest.
New cane toad invasions have recently been reported in the Sydney, North Coast, South Coast and North West regions.
Cane toads pose a serious biosecurity threat in Australia and are considered a pest because they:
poison pets and injure humans with their toxins
poison many native animals whose diet includes frogs, tadpoles and frogs' eggs
eat large numbers of honey bees, creating a management problem for bee-keepers
prey on native fauna
compete for food with vertebrate insectivores such as small skinks
may carry diseases that are can be transmitted to native frogs and fishes.
Sydney, North Coast, South Coast and North West communities can help keep their regions safe by reporting any sightings to NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Anyone coming from cane toad infested areas such as Queensland or the Northern Territory are being asked to check their luggage, vehicle or trailer to ensure they are not bringing a cane toad into NSW.
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