Categories: Science

Crocodiles baited with ‘nausea-inducing chemical’ to prevent them from eating toxic, invasive toad

Researchers in Australia concerned about the sharp decline of freshwater crocodiles who eat a toxic, invasive toad species have come up with a stomach-churning way for the reptiles to help themselves. 

The scientists baited the crocodiles with dead cane toads that had the toxin removed, but added a “nausea-inducing chemical” inside that quickly made the reptiles want to avoid toads for dinner in the future, according to a study published in Royal Society Publishing. 

The invasive toads were first brought to the continent from Hawaii as a pest management strategy in 1935, which failed, but the toxic amphibians spread throughout tropical Australia. 

“It’s not pretty. They go into seizures. And death is fairly quick and probably very painful because it’s essentially a massive cardiac arrest,” Georgia Ward-Fear, a conservation scientist at Macquarie University in Sydney, told NPR of what happens to the crocodiles when they eat the toads.

AUSTRALIAN RANGERS KILL CROCODILE THAT FATALLY ATTACKED 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL SWIMMING IN CREEK

Researchers in Australia are concerned about the sharp decline of freshwater crocodiles who eat a toxic, invasive toad species and have come up with a stomach-churning way for the reptiles to help themselves.  (Don Arnold/WireImage)

“Apex predators play critical ecological roles, making their conservation a high priority,” the study said. “In tropical Australia, some populations of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) have plummeted by greater than 70% due to lethal ingestion of toxic invasive cane toads.”

Scientists left nearly 2,400 cane toad carcasses with the nauseous chemical inside in parts of northwest Australia where the crocodiles hunt in 2021, and the crocs “rapidly learned to avoid toad baits but continued to consume control (chicken) baits,” the study said. 

It added that “repeated baiting over successive years had continuing positive impacts on crocodile survival.”

The study said the taste aversion method “relies upon the widespread ability of animals to learn to avoid food whose consumption induces nausea.” 

RARE ALBINO ALLIGATOR HATCHES IN FLORIDA: ‘ESTIMATED 100 TO 200 IN THE WORLD’

Cane toads were first brought to the continent from Hawaii as a pest management strategy in 1935, which failed, but the toxic amphibians spread throughout tropical Australia. (Joshua Prieto/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“Crocodiles with toads in their stomachs also often exhibited large haemorrhages within the cardiovascular and digestive systems,” the study said. “Toad-poisoned crocodiles sometimes were found while still alive, floating on the water surface and exhibiting muscular seizures, continuous ‘death rolls’ underwater, bouts of extreme lethargy, limb paralysis, impaired coordination, and unresponsiveness with gaping mouth. We were unable to save any of these animals.”

The survival of freshwater crocodiles is at stake in Australia. (David Gray/AFP via Getty Images)

The scientists also spread the bait out to make sure the crocodiles didn’t get really sick by eating too much of it.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“It was a huge success,” Ward-Fear told NPR, adding that crocodile death rates in the region have been reduced by up to 95%. “And it’s now being deployed by Indigenous rangers and wildlife management agencies as we speak.”

Share

Recent Posts

Veterans groups urge Trump admin to continue Afghan ally support program amid budget cut concerns

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 29 Fox News Flash top headlines…

1 hour ago

Federal charges filed against Arizona Tesla arson suspect, AG Bondi promises ‘no negotiating’

close Video Those who commit attacks on Tesla should be 'held accountable,' Dem lawmaker says…

1 hour ago

‘Slender Man’ stabber release hits roadblock after learning victim would live 8 miles away

close Video Girls accused in Slender Man stabbing case seek release Attorneys say girls are…

1 hour ago

Off-duty female cop booked after violent home invasion burglary: police

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 29 Fox News Flash top headlines…

1 hour ago

Dem senators rip GOP’s ‘Silence of the Lambs’ as Trump marks 100th day

Senate Democratic leaders spoke out Tuesday on President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office, and…

1 hour ago

DOGE’s greatest hits: Look back at the department’s most high-profile cuts during Trump’s first 100 days

As President Trump marks his 100th day in office on Tuesday, the Department of Government…

1 hour ago