Australian lawmaker urges mass toad cull

**MSFixR** · 04-02-2008, 01:20 PM

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- An Australian politician on Wednesday proposed designating a special day for residents to hunt and kill what he called one of the world's most disgusting creatures: the poisonous cane toad.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has said it backs the plan by Queensland state lawmaker Shane Knuth to launch "Toad Day Out," but only if the creatures are killed in a humane way, such as euthanizing them in a freezer.

"Obviously we're not idiots. We understand a lot people will be highly reluctant to fill their fridges and freezers with dying cane toads, but at the moment that is the only humane way that we can recommend," said Michael Beatty, the society's spokesman.

The toads were imported from South America to Australia's northeastern state of Queensland in 1935 in a failed attempt to control beetles on sugar cane plantations. They now threaten many local species.

Knuth said he wanted "a special day that Queenslanders, especially children, could all play their part."

"The toad is probably the greatest environmental vermin and probably the most disgusting creature known to man," he said.

Knuth has long campaigned against the pests. Last year he suggested a bounty of 36 cents per toad.

Queensland's Department of Primary Industries said it was important that native frogs are not mistaken for toads during any hunt.

CNN, April 2, 2008.

(Wife to husband: "Hey honey, what do you want for dinner?"
(Opens freezer door)
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!")

CaseyM · 04-02-2008, 03:04 PM

^ LOL!

They do look gross.

How can that man even touch it? EWW!

Can toads go through hypothermia? I don't find that type of death very humane.

**MSFixR** · 04-02-2008, 03:15 PM

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, frog legs - tastes just like chicken.

04-02-2008, 01:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
MSFixR Science Boy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dante's Inferno, Circle 4 Posts: 8,244 My Profile	Australian lawmaker urges mass toad cull BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- An Australian politician on Wednesday proposed designating a special day for residents to hunt and kill what he called one of the world's most disgusting creatures: the poisonous cane toad. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has said it backs the plan by Queensland state lawmaker Shane Knuth to launch "Toad Day Out," but only if the creatures are killed in a humane way, such as euthanizing them in a freezer. "Obviously we're not idiots. We understand a lot people will be highly reluctant to fill their fridges and freezers with dying cane toads, but at the moment that is the only humane way that we can recommend," said Michael Beatty, the society's spokesman. The toads were imported from South America to Australia's northeastern state of Queensland in 1935 in a failed attempt to control beetles on sugar cane plantations. They now threaten many local species. Knuth said he wanted "a special day that Queenslanders, especially children, could all play their part." "The toad is probably the greatest environmental vermin and probably the most disgusting creature known to man," he said. Knuth has long campaigned against the pests. Last year he suggested a bounty of 36 cents per toad. Queensland's Department of Primary Industries said it was important that native frogs are not mistaken for toads during any hunt. CNN, April 2, 2008. (Wife to husband: "Hey honey, what do you want for dinner?" (Opens freezer door) "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!")

04-02-2008, 03:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
CaseyM Ain't you the lucky one? Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 134 My Profile	^ LOL! They do look gross. How can that man even touch it? EWW! Can toads go through hypothermia? I don't find that type of death very humane.

04-02-2008, 03:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
MSFixR Science Boy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dante's Inferno, Circle 4 Posts: 8,244 My Profile	Mmmmmmmmmmmm, frog legs - tastes just like chicken.

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