Cane Toads at Bullo River Station and the plight of the Pygmy Crocodiles .

Cane toad reached Bullo River Station along the upper reaches of creek systems flowing into the Victoria River north of the Pinkerton Ranges during the wet season of 2007. This corridor of toads (moving steadily west from Fancy Creek) is being fed primarily by toads crossing the Victoria River from Bradshaw Militarily Base, locate north of the Victoria River. At present the military is doing little to control toads that have now been moving steadily across this unique and largely protected series of eco systems since 2005.

The cane toads are using large sand bars located south of the junction of the Victoria and Baines River as ‘stepping-stones’ to assist their movement across this major river system. During the wet season the surface of the river at this junction is relatively fresh water due to the major flood waters that surge down the river from further east. However it has been noted that toads still seem to be able to move across the Victoria River even when relatively saline.

The recent discovery of a Pygmy species of crocodile on Bullo River in the unique and pristine aquatic systems on top of the Pinkerton Range’s has astonished scientists. Research into this unique species has hardly begun yet time to study this amazing creature is now of the essence. The volunteer work of the Kimberley Toad Busters and that being undertaken by the small team attached to the Department of Environment can at best delay the impact of the toad on this unique discovery. While KTBs will also look at strategies that might help keep toads out of these systems it is also imperative that safe ‘pens’ be built at the homestead and that sufficient numbers of the Pygmy Crocodile are moved to ensure a viable gene pool. Government Bureaucracy, funding possibilities and the permit system moves in its usual laborious fashion. Your involvement and contribution to this plight will help to ensure the future of the Pygmy Crocodile.

Kimberley Toad Busters is a non-profit and tax deductible organization. If you think that you would like to contribute towards saving the Pygmy Crocodile please ensure your donation is directed towards the “KTBs save the Pygmy Crocodile from the Cane Toad”.

Please send a cheque or money order payable to Kimberley Toad Busters Inc.

P.O. Box 1188

Kununurra

Western Australia 6743.

Or pay directly into the Kimberley Toad Busters Inc tax deductible account Kimberley Toad Busters. 086 787 86349 2274 National Bank. Kununurra. (Please email or post details of this donation so we can send you a receipt or at best a letter of thanks).