Toads dropped from sky to help save quoll

RIGHT: The quoll is under threat from cane toads
Photo: susan flashman - Fotolia

Scientists in Australia have embarked on a unique attempt to save the quoll, an endangered bushy tailed marsupial, by dropping toads from the sky.

By Nick Allen
Published: 2:48AM BST 14 Apr 2010

The cat-sized quoll is close to extinction after being poisoned by eating cane toads. Consuming just one cane toad is enough to kill a quoll.

Researchers from the University of Sydney are now trying to stop them eating the toads in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Their experiment will use a plane to drop toad sausages which are enough to make the quolls a bit sick but are not fatal.

It is hoped the quolls will then associate cane toads with sickness and avoid eating them.

The theory has already been tested in a laboratory with dozens of quolls fed doses of toad that were not enough to kill.

They were later released into the wild with radio collars on and survived five times longer than non-conditioned quolls.

Dr Jonathan Webb, who worked on the study, said the idea was inspired by the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood.

He said: "In that story Grandma sews raw onions into the wolf's stomach, so when the wolf wakes up he feels sick and refuses to eat another Grandma again.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/7588211/Toads-dropped-from-sky-to-help-save-quoll.html