Warning for Sydney after cane toads discovery sparks concern

An invasive animal has prompted a warning for Sydney communities to be on high alert to avoid a mass infiltration.

Almost 20 cane toads have been found on a private property less than two hours from Sydney striking deep concern “many more” could be lurking nearby.

Several of the toxic animals were discovered by a member of the public on a property in Mandalong, a rural area west of Lake Macquarie 117 kilometres north of the city, last Monday.

The individual reported their finding to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Biosecurity Helpline, with a joint NSW government and University of Newcastle team sent out the following day.

A total of 17 cane toads were captured that day, but three more have since been discovered.

Minister for agriculture, Dugald Saunders, has expressed concern “there could be many more in the area”.

Almost 20 cane toads have been found just outside of Sydney.

He implored the community to keep their wits about them in the surrounding communities.

“It is critical for community members to be diligent in keeping an eye out for and reporting any rogue toads, because the size of this colony indicates there could be many more in the area,” Mr Saunders said in a statement provided to news.com.au.

“Now is not the time for complacency – cane toads pose a significant risk to our domestic and native fauna and it is critical we keep them out of NSW.”

Investigations into how the cane toads arrived in the area are ongoing.

It’s not uncommon for cane toads to hitch a ride on the back of trucks and even travel long distances in or on people’s shoes, Rick Shine, a professor at Maquarie University’s School of Natural Sciences said.

It’s feared the pests could have spread further. Picture: Cathy Zwick

“They turn up all over the place, in someone’s boot when they get off the airport … in Canberra and Dubbo and even on top of Mount Kosciuszko,” he told The Guardian.

“It’s not unusual for one or two to turn up in places a long way from home – but it’s unusual to get this number.”

NSW was in March last year infiltrated by cane toads in the northern beaches and southern riverina region.

It was suspected the pests were hitchhiking into NSW from Queensland through freight, green waste or loads of timber.

The sightings were the first time the toads had been spotted so far south in NSW.