Confirmed discovery of an Asian black-spined toad in Melbourne southeast

The sighting of an exotic poisonous pest in one major city has started widespread concern as to how the animal has come to call Australia home.

An exotic poisonous pest has been sighted in Melbourne, leading authorities to warn of a potential serious biosecurity threat.

The confirmed discovery of the Asian black-spined toad was made after a resident spotted the toad during an afternoon walk along the Djerring Trail near Huntingdale train station.

The walker promptly collected the toad and reported the discovery to Agriculture Victoria via their hotline on Boxing Day.

Agriculture Victoria is urging any further sightings to be reported.

The Asian black-spined toad has a distinct pointy snout, black rim in upper lip with black raised bony ridges over their eyes. Picture: Supplied.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager Adam Kay said they are focused on determining how the animal came to be in Melbourne’s southeast.

‘This is a serious biosecurity threat and we are seeking help from Huntingdale area residents and business owners who may have information on how this toad came to be in the community.”

He said this species of toad did not naturally occur in Australia and was in poor condition when discovered.

The toad has since died and been disposed of to minimise biosecurity risks.

Known to be in abundance throughout South-East Asia, the toads can be found in Bali, Thailand and Papua New Guinea.

“The species is frequently intercepted at Australian borders in shipping containers and in personal luggage as stowaways,” he said.

Agriculture Victoria is calling for more sightings of the toad to be reported. Picture : Supplied

Agriculture Victoria have warned people to be careful handling the toad, as the milky toxin secreted by the toads gives off a pungent odour and can result in itching of the nose and eyes.

Consumption of the Asian toad’s skin or their eggs can cause serious illness or even death in native species and pets, who often mistake them for food.

“They are poisonous and compete with native species for food and habitat, with the potential to cause environmental impacts like those of the cane toad in Queensland,” he continued.

This is the 18th Asian black-spined toad discovery reported to Agriculture Victoria since 1999.

Hundreds of cane toads were seen hopping around the streets in a suburban street in the Gold Coast. Picture: Grapsta / Reddit

This comes as hundreds of cane toads were spotted on a suburban street in the Gold Coast the week before Christmas.

In a horrifying Reddit photo shared by local man, Jonathan, the cane toads can be seen swamping the roads of a suburban street in Tugun.

Reddit users were expressing their shock in the comment section at the amount of cane toads pictured, with many suggesting ways to exterminate the invasive pest.

Cane toads were first introduced to Queensland in 1935 in a failed attempt to “control” a native insect.

A total of 102 cane toads were brought over, but that number is estimated to have grown to over 200 million in the 90 years since.

The toads quickly became a pest and have contributed to altering the balance of Australia’s ecology ever since.