Cane toad rides into town

A cane toad has been discovered in the front yard of a Rockingham home after hitching a ride from Queensland in a removalist van.

Wildlife officer Allan Madgwick said the homeowners had recently moved to Rockingham from Queensland, and the toad had probably travelled with their possessions.

When a neighbour told them there was a toad in their front yard, they immediately covered it with a cardboard box.

The toad, the size of the palm of a hand, is now in a secure area at DEC’s Kensington complex.

Mr Madgwick said cane toad traps would be set around the property.

‘‘The house is near a drain and it is critical that we monitor the area to ensure there are no other toads,’’ he said.

DEC encourages people not to kill suspected cane toads as they may be harmless native frogs.

Anyone who suspects they may have found a cane toad should isolate the live animal and call the DEC hotline on 1800 084 881.