‘Severe threat’: Asian black-spined toad invades Melbourne, prompting urgent response

Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of suspected exotic pest animals following an unsettling discovery.

Authorities are calling on the people of Melbourne to remain vigilant and report any sightings of suspected exotic pest animals following the unsettling discovery of an Asian black-spined toad on Boxing Day.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager, Adam Kay, warned of a severe ecological impact of the invasive species.

A concerned resident first noticed the toad during an afternoon walk along the Djerring Trail near Huntingdale train station – 16 km south-east of Melbourne’s Central Business District.

A resident noticed the Asian black-spined toad during an afternoon walk along the Djerring Trail near Huntingdale train station on Boxing Day.

Upon spotting the toad, Mr Kay said the resident promptly collected it in a cup and reported the finding, initially suspecting it to be a cane toad.

Subsequent confirmation, however, identified it as an Asian black-spined toad.

The toad was in poor condition upon discovery and has since died, with proper disposal measures taken to minimise biosecurity risks.

This incident marks the 18th discovery of an Asian black-spined toad reported to Agriculture Victoria since 1999.

According to Mr Kay, these toads, native to South East Asia, pose a severe threat to Australia’s ecosystem.

“They do not naturally occur in the wild within Australia; however, the species is frequently intercepted at Australian borders, often in shipping containers and personal luggage as stowaways,” he said.

Notably, they are poisonous, presenting a risk of competing with native species for food and habitat, akin to the environmental impacts caused by the notorious cane toad in Queensland.

Agriculture Victoria is now actively investigating the source of the incursion.

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.

“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,” Mr Kay urged.

Asian black-spined toads have a prolific reproductive capacity, breeding up to twice each year, with females capable of producing up to 40,000 eggs per cycle.

Their poisonous milky substance, like cane toads, poses a significant risk to native species and domestic pets.

Handling these toads can result in serious illness, with their toxins causing itching in the nose and eyes.

Consumption of their skin or eggs can even lead to fatal consequences, authorities stated.

These toads are classified as prohibited pest animals under the Victorian Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.