Toads killing outback crocodiles

Guardian ^ | 6/6/08 | Barbara McMahon

[LibWhacker]

The habitat of cane toads is spreading across Australia and the poisonous amphibians are decimating populations of freshwater crocodiles, according to a leading biologist.

Dr Mike Letnic, of Sydney University, says scores of crocodiles in the tropical, northern region have died after eating toads. His team visited the Victoria River district of the Northern Territory.

"[In 2006] we counted more than 600 crocodiles and in 2007 we counted less than 400," he said. "There were dead crocs everywhere. The only thing that had changed between visits was that cane toads had moved through the river system."

[samtheman]

Cane toads were introduced from South America to combat beetles infesting sugarcane. They had little effect but bred prolifically and proved an environmental peril, with their toxin killing native animals.

Isn't this like the 10,000th time Australia tried "fixing" a problem by "introducing" a new specie into the environment only to have disastrous results.

Are they like the commies, always believing that the next time will prove their theory right?

[Graybeard58]

poisonous amphibians are decimating populations of freshwater crocodiles.....

[In 2006] we counted more than 600 crocodiles and in 2007 we counted less than 400

If they were "decimated" between 2006 and 2007, there would have been "more than" 540 left in 2007.

[Jeff Chandler]

The folks in Queensland are not amused.

[metesky]

Yeah, but not many “journalists” can even count to ten.

[Jeff Chandler]

If they were "decimated" between 2006 and 2007, there would have been "more than" 540 left in 2007.

So you're suggesting that the crocs selected every tenth toad for execution?

[Lancey Howard]

Are they like the commies Democrats, always believing that the next time will prove their theory right?

Precisely!
Hey, they're dangerous blubbering fools and scumbags, but they think they have good intentions.

[ERJCaptain]

Too bad they can’t decimate the population of saltwater crocs.

[Graybeard58]

So you're suggesting that the crocs selected every tenth toad for execution?

Mutual destruction. The crocks die after eating toads.

The article claims that the crock population was "decimated", from the numbers given, it was worse than that and nobody seems to care that the poor toads are losing their lives too.

[Jeff Chandler]

nobody seems to care that the poor toads are losing their lives too.

Purse makers care.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Ok that is just gross.

[SolidWood]

Who the heck is going to buy a toad purse!?

[mass55th]

A thread about crocs dying after eating poisonous toads, and somebody’s comment gets deleted? It must have been a good one. Sorry I missed it.

[mass55th]

Okay, now that looks like a bag that would hold used condoms.

[mass55th]

"Who the heck is going to buy a toad purse!?"

A frog prince?

[LibWhacker]

Nupe, you didn’t miss anything: Guardian articles have to be excerpted but someone posted the whole thing, or rather, the remainder of it.

[mass55th]

LOL! Thanks for the explanation.

[wastedyears]

I guess you shouldn’t lick the toads.

[444Flyer]

That’ll go great with my armadillo pumps and my cicada belt.

[SAJ]

Did you ever see the old cartoon that had 9 Roman legionnaires standing in a row and a tenth one face down in the dirt, with a sword in his back?

One legionnaire says to the next: ''Hey, this decimation stuff isn't so bad after all.''

;^)

[Grizzled Bear]

Check out post #11 for a great gift idea!

[Oztrich Boy]

If they were "decimated" between 2006 and 2007, there would have been "more than" 540 left in 2007.

Well the loose meaning "destroy a large proportion of" has been used since 1663, so I'm inclined to allow it for any fraction up to a third.

If the reporter was using the common meaning of decimate the WWF would be getting involved.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Don’t eat the yellow toads......

[Slings and Arrows]

And now you’ve toad me.

[Jeff Chandler]

someone posted the whole thing

The post would still be here if the poster had toad the line.

[mass55th]

"The post would still be here if the poster had toad the line."

Great response!!