Terrestrial Ecosystems

Not unexpected but a little quicker than predicted.

This might be the last wet season we have many native species around Broome.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions has confirmed a cane toad has been found in Broome🐸

The toad was recently discovered in the suburb of Cable Beach and has been positively identified via a photograph posted online.

Traps have been set up but it's unclear whether the toad has been captured, or how it arrived in the town.

Motorists are being warned to check their vehicles for any "hitch-hiking toads"🚗

Cane toads have already advanced into WA's Kimberley region, invading new areas at a rate of up to 50 kilometres every year.

Removal of feral and pest fish from urban waterways is a hot topic with many WA local governments attempting to manage their lakes and ponds. In this recently released research, Graham and I have shown that eradication (not reduction) of feral and pest fish is possible from closed urban waterways using Rotenone. In this case the two lakes have now been restocked with native fish species and the only way pest fish can return is through illegal restocking. Fish reduction programs using electo-fishing, pod traps, fyke nets etc will reduce fish abundance, however, it is often improbable that all the fish have been removed and numbers are therefore likely to quickly return to pre-control levels without ongoing management programs. Where appropriate, local government agencies should consider eradication programs instead of costly and ongoing reduction programs.
Please contact me for a copy of the research paper

Cats have inadvertently killed penguins and they aren't even on the island! Imagine what cats are doing to mainland native fauna

Study points to cat poo as the culprit in cold case of WA penguin deaths Thirteen otherwise healthy looking little penguins at the West Australian island died in 2011-12 and have now been found to be infected with a disease that originates from cat faeces.