Humane Culling of Cane Toads
In the wild, natural predators keep the balance.
In many instances, humans have interfered with this balance.
The natural order of things have taken their toll due to certain human activities; such activities include "over-fishing" or "over-developing".
In this case, the activity was introducing a foreign species to a foreign land. In 1935 the Rhinella Marina (CANE TOAD) was introduced to Australia to help combat another Australian pest - the Cane Beetle.
At the time, it was not known that this introduction would have catastrophic spill off effects.
New technology has enabled us to develop the MOST HUMANE WAY to CULL these poisonous pests.
And, it does NOT involve freezing, poisoning them or even TOUCHING THEM.
THE CANE TOAD PROBLEM - THE INVASION
Cane toads were introduced in 1935. The rate of growth / spread of the Cane toad was 10-15km/ year. In 2015 is has increased to 50-60km / year!
THE CANE TOAD CULLING SOLUTION - A NATURAL PREDATOR
The solution is simple, but remarkable. A brief introduction is necessary. Cane Toads do have a natural predator, but the predator needs to be "trained"! Yes, that's right - trained! It has been discovered very recently that Ravens / Crows are a natural predator to these unwanted poisonous creatures. The problem is:- Cane toads of poisonous glands around their joints that stop many creatures such as birds making a snack out of them. New but very simple research and science has enabled us to train the Australian Crow to flip the cane toad over carefully, (avoiding the poison glands) and then attack the cane toad from its belly. In order for the Crow to learn this behaviour, it simply has to see another bird do it. That's where TV Magic comes in and some simple technology. A video played on a large screen, whether it be a large television or a large projector screen; played at night of a CROW that has already "done it" over and over during the hours of the night is all it takes. How does that work you may ask? Well believe it or not, nearby crows who are sleeping nearby, whether they are metres away or hundreds of metres away see this video and watch and learn off the screen! Imagine a crow having a little peak with one eye half open and they watch this BIG bird take out a cane toad and then they suddenly get the idea inside that bird brain of theirs. That's all it takes! Crows are smart, they know how to leave nuts on the middle of the highway, right near where vehicle tyres run and then jump out of the way at the last second. Crows are essentially using the tyres of vehicles to crack open the nuts for them! This teaching technique more commonly known as "monkey see, monkey do" is all it takes to train these crows. What it really takes is enough Aussies to participate in this "Bird Training" exercise to start reversing the catastrophic trend of these poisonous creatures! Check out the maps below! What started out as a small problem is ravaging other states of Australia. If you live in Victoria or South Australia, you may be thinking "What's the Big Deal?" we don't have Cane Toads here. The reality however is - Not yet you don't! To date, this has been a revolutionary solution. It is humane. It is effective. But, it needs your help.
IT IS HUMANE
IT IS EFFECTIVE
BUT IT NEEDS YOUR HELP
T.B.A - THE "TRAINING VIDEO"
HOW TV MAGIC IS HELPING
TV MAGIC IS DRIVING THIS INITIATIVE USING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES:
I - Public Awareness and Education. Marketing dollars and Philanthropic donations funded by TV Magic to spread the word.
II - Our own testing, experimentation and reporting of Local projects after execution
III - Development of "Crow Training Videos"
IV - Hiring of, Providing Access to outdoor Televisions, Outdoor projector equipment
If you would like to make a charitable Donation towards this cause, please submit your E.O.I here. 27 April, 2024 : We are in the process of establishing a registered ACNC , Not for Profit. Whilst no donations will be accepted until we can legally accept them! If you are as passionate as we are about this community driven cause or even if you have learnt something please submit your expression of interest on the link above.
