Thread: Introducing elephants into N.Australia 'would be a 10-tonne cane toad'

Elephants 'would be a 10-tonne cane toad'



ELEPHANTS could become the "10-tonne cane toads" of the Australian outback if they were introduced to control invasive grasses, an environmental group says.

In an article published in the journal Nature today, Tasmanian scientist David Bowman proposes allowing the enormous mammals to roam through Australia's savannas to control the African pest gamba grass.

But the Pew Environmental Group says unleashing elephants could be disastrous.

"Unmanaged fire and invasive pests are some of the biggest threats to the native plants and animals of the outback," Patrick O'Leary from group said in a statement today.

"But the solution is already in our own backyard and the last thing our unique landscape needs is the equivalent of a 10-tonne cane toad flattening the countryside."

Mr O'Leary said other options, such as greater funding for indigenous rangers, were a better way of controlling pest plants and animals.



"Indigenous rangers have stopped noxious weeds like Mimosa from expanding from the Northern Territory into the Kimberley," Mr O'Leary said.

"We do know how to control pests like gamba grass. It's not too late at all - that's a furphy - but we have to have a coordinated, scientific and properly funded approach."

Professor Bowman, an environmental change biologist at the University of Tasmania, wrote that wild elephants could fight invasive pests and reduce fire hazards.


With around five per cent of the continent burnt in bushfires last year, the introduction of large animals could help reduce the amount of the flammable gamba grass that is widespread in northern areas, Prof Bowman writes in the article.

"It is too big for marsupial grazers (kangaroos) and for cattle and buffalo.

"But gamba grass is a great meal for elephants or rhinoceroses," he writes.

"The idea of introducing elephants may seem absurd, but the only other methods likely to control gamba grass involve using chemicals or physically clearing the land, which would destroy the habitat."

Elephants 'would be a 10-tonne cane toad' | Herald Sun

Elephants not like cane toads , too big, you would break your golf club

Outrage over 'cane toad golf'

• From: The Courier-Mail
• June 07, 2007 12:00AM

A QUEENSLAND council has been condemned by the RSPCA for encouraging its residents to splatter cane toads with golf clubs.

Townsville City Council produced several hundred beer stubby holders carrying slogans promoting local activities including "cane toad golf", as part of a recently launched advertising campaign.
The $270,000 campaign is designed to showcase "all the great things about Townsville and the people who live here", a council spokeswoman said.
Other slogans on the beer coolers include "cold beer on a hot summer's day" and "bagging a barra" (barramundi).
RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said the merchandise encourages animal cruelty.
"We just think it's sending the wrong message, particularly to young people," Mr Beatty told AAP.
"We just don't want to encourage anyone to go hitting any animal, even if it is a cane toad, with a golf club, a baseball bat, a cricket bat or any other form of blunt instrument."

Not only is clubbing toads inhumane, Mr Beatty said, it is also an ineffective way of eradicating the pests.
"Nine times out of 10 the toad gets up and hops away," he said.
"We're not being wowsers about it, it's just irresponsible."
Townsville mayor Tony Mooney said the council will look at removing the cane toad golf stubby holders from the campaign if offence is taken.
"This is a campaign that promotes the good things about Townsville and our residents," he said.
"I certainly don't want to see anything that might offend people and steps will be taken to sort it out."
The slogans were always intended to be humorous, Cr Mooney said.
"Let's not get too politically correct," he said.

seems they are also talking of Komodos!
Thought the Abos exterminated the mega version 15000 years ago

Sounds a great idea but why limit it there? Australia is the perfect place to replicate the African and Indian habitats currently under threat from development and releasing an assortment of species such as the elephant, lion, tiger, rhino and hippo into it would ensure their survival and protection. Antelope, gazelle and widebeeste would have to be imported as well lest the predators get hungry and focus their carnivorous attentions on whichever passing Antipodean might take their fancy.

Honestly can't see a downside to this. Good for tourism and bloodsports too. I expect the bongs would think it a positive boon and could be prevailed upon to do a spot of ivory poaching for authenticity's sake and make the park rangers life a little more exciting.

The possibilities are endless.

Messy to clean the club after - not worth the effort

^Depends on what club you use I suppose.

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

ELEPHANTS could become the "10-tonne cane toads" of the Australian outback

They are not able to jump as high in proportion to their bodysize although they never forget a face apparently and are terrified of mice.

Could be the saviour of the struggling tourist industry though. We could charge for rides and teach them to play football (aussie rules) and to paint pictures of flowers (aboriginal dot painting style) for tourist entertainment.

I don't have the slightest idea whether the introduction of elephants would be a good thing.

However if it turns out to have a negative impact it could easily be corrected. Some people would pay well for the privilege to do it.

Well bloody hell, now I know what a "Furphy" is. Learned something new today.