InfoAnda - Australian study uses cat food in war on cane toad

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

British cities clear up after looting, London quiet | | 10 August 2011
Middle East and North Africa rocked by protests | 15 February 2011
Iraq to sell Saddam yacht moored in French Riviera | International | | 2 November 2008

Hague prosecutor: Congo warlord used children to kill | International | | 26 January 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Australian study uses cat food in war on cane toad

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Australian study uses cat food in war on cane toad AP By OWEN PYE,Associated Press Writer - 1 hour 23 minutes ago Send IM Story Print SYDNEY – Forget cricket bats, golf clubs and carbon dioxide. Australia has found a new weapon in its war on the dreaded cane toad: cat food. Researchers with the University of Sydney found that a few tablespoons of cat food left next to ponds in the Northern Territory attracts fierce Australian meat ants, which then attack baby cane toads as they emerge from the water. The results of the study were published in the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology this week. It is the latest weapon in Australia's seemingly endless battle against the cane toad, which was introduced from Hawaii in 1935 in an unsuccessful attempt to control beetles on sugarcane plantations. The toads bred rapidly, and their millions-strong population now threatens many species across Australia. Early cane toad killing methods included whacking the creatures with golf clubs or cricket bats. In recent years, most groups dedicated to fighting the pests have turned to freezing or gassing them with carbon dioxide. Still, the toads' population continues to explode. Cane toads emit a poison that attacks the heart of would-be predators. But the University of Sydney researchers found that meat ants are impervious to the toads' poison, said Rick Shine, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Sydney who supervised the research. "A single toad can have 30,000 eggs in a clutch, so there's a heck of a lot of tadpoles turning into toads along the edge of a billabong," he said. "You can literally have tens of thousands of toads emerging at pretty much the same time. They are vulnerable to meat ants if the colony discovers there is a source of free food." Between July and September 2008, researchers studied tens of thousands of cane toads emerging from cat food-lined ponds and found that 98 percent of them were attacked by meat ants within two minutes. Of the toads that escaped, 80 percent died within a day from ant-inflicted injuries. The baby toads are less than half an inch (1 centimeter) in size, about the same as a meat ant. The aggressive ants have strong jaws and can kill even larger animals by sheer numbers. "It's a pretty unequal fight," Shine said. "The toads have this terribly stupid response to attack _ which is just to freeze and do nothing." Not all think the study is valuable. Graeme Sawyer, an official with Frogwatch, an environmental group dedicated to wiping out the toxic amphibian, said the cat food technique just isn't powerful enough. "The impact of meat ants on cane toads can be significant with a small number of cane toads, but when you get areas where there are large number of cane toads it doesn't seem to make any difference at all," he said. Australia's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said encouraging ants to attack cane toads is inhumane. "RSPCA Australia recognizes that cane toads must be controlled, but urges researchers to concentrate on identifying effective methods that do not cause unnecessary pain or distress," the group said in an e-mail. Shine acknowledged the study doesn't have all the answers. "You'd have to be a desperate optimist to think that we'll ever see the end of cane toads in Australia," he said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Nepal pro-monarchy party seeks to restore king AP - 30 minutes ago Seven survivors plucked from Pakistan avalanche AFP - 53 minutes ago Family 'devastated' by Hong Kong go-kart accident AFP - 1 hour 3 minutes ago Supporters of deposed Thai PM rally in Bangkok AP - 1 hour 11 minutes ago Australian study uses cat food in war on cane toad AP - 1 hour 27 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Fed hikes bank loan rate in surprise move US researchers harness DNA changes to develop cancer test Two months after summit, UN climate pointman to quit Be of good heart: Happiness helps ward off cardiac disease Wal-Mart sees quarterly profits jump amid weak sales More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Astronomers find oldest stars outside Milky Way DNA reveals some mystery on King Tut, raises questions Scientists recreate Big Bang heat of 4 tln degrees C Fed hikes bank loan rate in surprise move Be of good heart: Happiness helps ward off cardiac disease More Most Viewed » Third-hand smoke also bad for you: study Pitt, Jolie sue British paper over split claims Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses Sugary soft drinks linked to pancreatic cancer: study More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 19 February 2010
IAEA 'concerned' Iran working on nuclear weapon
German admits stabbing to death former teacher
Microsoft- deal gets green light from regulators
Wal-Mart sees quarterly profits jump amid weak sales
Dubai sees Mossad behind killing, may seek spymaster
US new jobless claims post surprise jump
Europeans press Israel over Hamas killing row
IAEA fears Iran working now on nuclear warhead |
Coup attempt under way in Niger: French official
Ke$ha Holds Back "We Are The World" Remake From #1 On The Billboard Hot 100
AT&T plans 3 test labs for high-speed services
No ruling at Google books hearing: judge
Niger president seized in military coup: sources |
Brussels greenlights Microsoft, Yahoo web deal
Microsoft/Yahoo search partnership cleared by EU
NATO may need 30 days to secure Taliban stronghold |
Haiti shelter emergency as rain turns camps to mud |
Russia finds NATO global reach plan disturbing |
Palestinian leader meets U.S. envoy on peace effort |
Passions simmer over Moscow plans for Stalin V-Day |
Google's books plan hailed, reviled |
Truck hits Thai princess's convoy in Bangladesh
US: NATO controls Marjah's key roads, govt centers
Microsoft steps up search assault on Google |
Market bomb, US missiles kill 20 in Pakistan
Ashton Kutcher tells Russia of social web power |
"Freaking" Dance Canceled By School Officials
Small airplane crashes near Austin FBI building
Thai army defends bomb scanners as blast wounds 13
Update: Suspect In Austin Plane Crash Left Angry Suicide Note
Peace monitors to return to Philippines' restive south
Louisiana Man Sentenced To 300 Years In ID Theft Scheme
Former NY Police Commissioner Kerik To Spend 4 Years In Prison
Hormel Foods Posts Strong Q1 Earnings On Revenue, Gross Margin Growth
AT&T plans 3 test labs for high-speed services |
Virus Steals Log-in Info For E-mail, Social Networks, Online Banking
Wal-Mart Profit Jumps 22 Percent Despite Weak U.S. Sales
Update: Speculation That Pilot Deliberately Crashed Plane Into Austin, Texas Office Building
Obama offers support for Tibet, Dalai Lama
Ke$ha Holds Back "We Are The World" Remake From #1 On The Billboard Hot 100
Holbrooke hails Pakistan-U.S. collaboration on Taliban
Afghan official: NATO airstrike kills 7 police
Florida AG Probes Mail-In Gold Buyer Over Consumer Complaints
UN envoy meets freed Myanmar opposition leader
Japan's ruling party to probe JAL's collapse
EU opens anti-dumping probe into Chinese paper imports
Japan's Isuzu to recall over 4,000 trucks: ministry
Air India gets $173M government cash injection
NBC Olympics ousts Idol from TV ratings throne |
A Minute With: Leonardo DiCaprio in Shutter Island |
Springsteen fans must get refunds |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
NBC Olympics ousts "Idol" from TV ratings throne
Club Med to open ski village in China
McQueen label will go on says owner
French politicians find halal hamburgers hard to swallow
Movie on Nazi propaganda film booed in Berlin
Britain's JK Rowling hits out at plagiarism claim
'Harry Potter' author hit with plagiarism lawsuit
J.K. Rowling calls Potter plagiarism case "absurd"
UK commander: Afghan offensive could take weeks
Niger president seized in military coup |
Global cyberattacks hit firms, govts: NetWitness
Medvedev orders crackdown on Russian police corruption
Fed hikes bank loan rate in surprise move
IAEA suspects Syrian nuclear activity at bombed site
North Korea warns of live-fire drills near South |
Researchers: Clinical Trials Show Smoking Cannabis Might Help Treat Some Pain-Related Conditions
US researchers harness DNA changes to develop cancer test
IAEA fears Iran working now on nuclear warhead |
No ruling from judge on Google book case
IAEA fears Iran working now on nuclear warhead
Two months after summit, UN climate pointman to quit
Kodak Accuses Blackberry, iPhone Of Patent Infringement; ITC To Investigate
Be of good heart: Happiness helps ward off cardiac disease
Amazon routes Kindle books to BlackBerry smartphones
Attorney Awakened By Uninvited 'Bed Buddy'
US-TECH Summary
Poor Vision Linked To Dementia In Elderly
IAEA suspects Syrian nuclear activity at bombed site |
Probe traces Google attacks to 2 Chinese schools: report
Dell Q4 Profit Slips Despite 11 Percent Revenue Growth
FCC expands broadband access at schools
U.S. Markets Extend Gains On Manufacturing Data, Shake-Off Weak Jobs Data
Rail Industry Likes Economic Stimulus But Public Support Wanes
"American Idol" To Benefit UN Foundation Fund For Haiti On February 25 On Fox
Haiti shelter emergency as rain turns camps to mud |
New York City's "Go Green Expo" Kicks Off March 19
James Cameron Sets Earth Day For "Avatar" DVD And Blu-Ray Release
Dell profit dips as revenues climb
Google's books plan hailed, reviled; no ruling
Ashton Kutcher tells Russia of social web power
Australian study uses cat food in war on cane toad
Cambodia acquits reporter of spreading false info
Man angry at IRS crashes plane into building
Top U.S. Pacific Marine says base must be in Okinawa
Small plane is crashed into tax offices in Texas
Proud Aussie Bright ends US domination
Malaysian women: Caning was opportunity to repent
China protests Obama meeting with Dalai Lama
Judge sends two Americans back to jail in Haiti
Microsoft steps up search assault on Google |
UN envoy presses Myanmar ministers on Suu Kyi
Probe traces Google attacks to 2 Chinese schools: report |
N.Korea vows not to abandon nuclear arms
Philippines, WWF offer reward for shark killers
FCC expands broadband access at schools |
China says Obama hurt ties by meeting Dalai Lama
Researchers: Clinical Trials Show Smoking Cannabis Might Help Treat Some Pain-Related Conditions
U.K. Releases Secret Files On UFO Sightings
Attorney Awakened By Uninvited 'Bed Buddy'
"Freaking" Dance Canceled By School Officials
Streep, Bullock provide rare Oscar suspense
Seoul shares end lower on banks, builders
Quentin Tarantino saves L.A. theater
PAKISTAN
Lady Gaga tops Cowell's Idol mentor wish list |
Toyota head to face US Congress over safety crisis
Pot comics Cheech and Chong roll out new film
Streep, Bullock provide rare Oscar suspense |
North Korea defector fights her way to the top
NZ credit card billings rise in January
Pot comics Cheech and Chong roll out new film |
"Shuttler Island" aims to be destination
Toyoda: To speak with 'sincerity' to Congress
Johnny Cash sings one more time, from the Grave |
Harry Potter author fights plagiarism allegations
Avatar faces tough rivals for tech Oscars |
Lady Gaga tops Cowell's "Idol" mentor wish list
Seoul shares steady as foreign buying continues
Quentin Tarantino saves L.A. theater |
LA judge says Chris Brown probation going well |
LA judge says Chris Brown probation going well
Shuttler Island aims to be destination |
Cozy layers, wools set tone at NY fashion week
S.Korea front-end T-bond futures hit 1-week low
Five simple rules for winning an Oscar nomination |
Seoul shares open lower; banks, steel issues fall
Cozy layers, wools set tone at NY fashion week |
Toyota chief agrees to appear before US Congress
USTR to explore S.Korea auto options in Detroit
Two dead, 35 wounded in Caucasus blasts: official
U.S. strike in Pakistan kills Afghan militant's son |
Surprise Fed rate hike hurts world stocks
Russia very alarmed at Iranian nuclear stance |
Nestle posts big drop in annual net profit
NIU Student Shot; Suspect In Custody
Former Governor's Family Renews Push For Clemency
Concern over Afghan civilians slows NATO advance |
Surprise Cheney Speech Receives Standing Ovation
Banks Urged To Help Americans Save For Future
Abbas considers options on peace talks restart |
Voice Actress In Controversial Down Syndrome Episode Of "Family Guy" Speaks Up
Sex abuse claims against famed rabbi grip Israel |
Employers Increasingly Use Social Network Sites To Check Out Applicants
Bombs kill two, injure 33 in Russia's Ingushetia |
Department Of Homeland Security Officers Lost 243 Guns Over 2 Years
Ice-coffee on sale in debt-stricken Greece |
Study: Non-Profits Seen As Less Competent Than Profit-Based Organizations
Police Use Snack Trail To Capture Facebook Burglar
Arizona Comedian, Girlfriend Injured In Condo Fire
Lawyer: Prof. accused in slayings likely insane
China says Obama-Dalai talks 'seriously harm' US ties
US pilot in plane attack on Texas tax office
Computer jargon baffles users, hinders security |
Iraq war to be rebranded 'Operation New Dawn'
U.S. strike in Pakistan kills Afghan militant's son
Turkmenistan to allow creation of a second party
Google's books plan hailed, reviled; no ruling |
Thaksin protesters shut down Thailand's largest bank
Fed rate move hits Asian shares, boosts dollar
'Rebel' nun to become Australia's first saint
NKorea vows to bolster nuclear force as deterrent
US compensates Afghans for death, damage from war
US Marines airdropped into Taliban-held territory
China protests Obama meeting with Dalai Lama
Pakistani o/n rates, rupee flat; stocks end higher
Fed rate move hits Asian shares
Japan Airlines shares end last trading day at one yen
Pakistan's HBL 2009 net profit at 12.3 bln rupees
FACTBOX-S.Korea c.bank chief remarks on rate policy
FACTBOX-S.Korean c.bank faces government pressure on rates
FACTBOX-South Korean recovery in graphics
British soap turns 25 with live whodunit
"Avatar", "The Hurt Locker", "An Education" lead BAFTA race
Muted luxury reigns supreme at NY Fashion Week
Winterbottom defends graphic violence in new film |
Berlin critics back Russia, Romania, Polanski films
Avatar, Hurt Locker, An Education lead BAFTA race |
Italy considers "Avatar" 3D glasses a hygiene risk
Berlin critics back Russia, Romania, Polanski films |
Academy vetoes Borat as Oscar host
Owen Wilson signs on for new Woody Allen film |
Owen Wilson signs on for new Woody Allen film
Oscar documentary nominees push for social change |
"Avatar" faces tough rivals for tech Oscars
Italy considers Avatar 3D glasses a hygiene risk |
Five simple rules for winning an Oscar nomination
Academy vetoes Borat as Oscar host |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01