The intended Perth recipient of a consignment of mango trees almost got a whole lot more than some fruit plants after a number of cane toads arrived in the city within the greenery.
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Nine cane toads were found in a consignment of mango plants on Monday at a freight company’s Perth depot.
Department of Parks and Wildlife officers retrieved seven live and two dead cane toads from a Toll Express truck, along with six northern green tree frogs and two other as yet unidentified native frogs.
The plants had been sent from Kununnura.
Wildlife officer Teagan Johnston said it was the largest number of cane toads to reach Perth in a single incident.
“There were male and female toads hidden within the plants and if they had escaped from the truck and found a water source, it is possible they may have begun breeding,” Ms Johnston said.
She said the vigilance of the freight company was to be commended.
“We were contacted by Toll staff once suspected toads were discovered and the truck was sealed until Parks and Wildlife officers arrived and conducted a thorough search,” Ms Johnston said.
The toads will be put down later this week.
Cane toads which have established breeding populations in the east Kimberley are toxic to many native animals and people.
Ms Johnston urged people travelling south from places where the invasive pests are known to live to check their vehicles and equipment carefully for so-called “hitchhiker” toads.
“They can hide in small spaces so inspect your vehicles, luggage, pallets, camping gear and caravans,” she said.
DPAW officers encourage people not to kill suspected cane toads, as they could be harmless native frogs.
They should isolate the animal and report the sighting to the department’s cane toad hotline immediately on 1800 44 WILD (9453).
