South Australian Arid Lands (SAAL) Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board operations manager Deb Agnew, told the Roxby Downs Sun that although cane toads were unlikely to reach Roxby naturally, the risk of arriving by road transport and “inadvertent movement in goods and produce” was always possible.

“If they can access permanent moisture and there are males and females present then the likelihood of a population establishing is much greater.”

Ms Agnew said the main pathway risk in the region was along the Cooper Creek, just 249 kilometres from Roxby Downs.

Cane toads have now populated Longreach and Ms Agnew said: “It appears there may be a satellite population in the process of attempting to establish at Windorah, around 200km from South Australia.

“Wet ecosystems in desert landscapes are particularly vulnerable as a high proportion of biodiversity in the landscape is concentrated in these areas.”

Cane toads have negative impacts on a range of native animals, but their broader ecosystem impacts are not clear.

“The impact of cane toads on the Coongie Lakes for example could be severe.”

Cane toads have caused significant declines in top order predators such as the Northern Quoll and goannas.

“It is important to delay the entry of cane toads to SA and the SAAL region if possible.

“People travelling from existing cane toad regions should always check their vehicles for any unwanted stowaways when travelling into SA.”

Ms Agnew said people should report suspected sightings straight away and capture the toad for identification.

The board has plans in place to ensure they are warned early of cane toad arrival.

“The board has distributed information to enable the community in the far north-east of the region to identify cane toad adults and tadpoles, and their call.”

It has bought several traps that are checked daily and is working with the South Australian Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, which oversee State-wide pest management strategies, to fund a survey of Cooper Creek this year.

The survey will determine whether cane toads have spread downstream from Windorah in Queensland during recent flood events.

Cane toad reports can be made to the SAAL NRM Board office on 8648 5977.