Rio Tinto and partners commit to cane-toad containment plan
The A$28 million plan would block cane toads from artificial water sources across 7,500 square kilometers to keep them out of Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
In this article
Rio Tinto, Curtin University in Perth and other partners plan to spend A$28 million on a containment zone intended to stop cane toads reaching Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The funding will pay to block the toads' access to dams, storage tanks and other ground-level water sources, BBC said.
The proposed zone covers 7,500 square kilometers between the Great Sandy Desert and the Indian Ocean. During drier months, cane toads need water every few days. Where natural water sources are unavailable, they rely on artificial water points used for cattle and irrigation.
The wildlife at risk
Cane toads produce toxins lethal to native wildlife. The northern quoll, goanna lizard and ghost bat are among the species at risk if the toads enter Pilbara.
Curtin University professor Ben Phillips said the toads would reach the region within two decades without action.
A funded plan, not proven protection
The funding supports a planned containment measure; its effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated. The five-year project is scheduled to begin in 2027.
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