management plan for cane toads in national parks and ...€¦ · ... xcost-effective control...

Management plan for cane toads in national parks and reserves 2012

© Copyright State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage With the exception of photographs, the State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage are pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of photographs. The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has compiled this management plan in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. OEH shall not be liable for any damage which may occur to any person or organisation taking action or not on the basis of this publication. Readers should seek appropriate advice when applying the information to their specific needs. This document may be subject to revision without notice and readers should ensure they are using the latest version. Cover photograph: Cane toad Bufo marinus. Photo: John Pumpars

Published by: Office of Environment and Heritage NSW 59 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000 PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232 Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Phone: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests) Phone: 1300 361 967 (national parks, climate change and energy efficiency information, and publications requests) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTY users: phone 133 677, then ask for 131 555 Speak and listen users: phone 1300 555 727, then ask for 131 555 Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Report pollution and environmental incidents Environment Line: 131 555 (NSW only) or [email protected] also www.environment.nsw.gov.au

ISBN 978 1 74293 393 1 OEH 2013/0772 November 2013

Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 4 Actions ........................................................................................................................... 5 References.................................................................................................................... 12 Appendices ................................................................................................................... 13

Management plan for cane toads in national parks and reserves 2012 1

Introduction

Cane toads Bufo marinus were introduced into northern Queensland from South America in 1935 as a biological control for the cane beetle, an agricultural pest of sugar cane. Cane toads have since spread west into the Northern Territory and the top end of Western Australia and south into northern NSW. Their spread in northern NSW was aided by further releases near Byron Bay and Ballina in the 1960s. Cane toads are now widespread in north-east NSW north of Evans Head, with small isolated populations occurring further south, including at Angourie and Brooms Head near Yamba (Figure 1) and at Taren Point near Sydney. Cane toads are also approaching the border in north-west NSW via the Murray–Darling and Lake Eyre basins in Queensland. The impacts of cane toads on biodiversity are unclear. Cane toads are toxic at all stages of their life cycle, as eggs, tadpoles, toadlets and adults, and their ingestion can be lethal to native predators (Hayes et al 2009). Cane toads have been linked to local declines and extinctions of several native predator species in the Northern Territory and Queensland, most notably the northern quoll (Burnett 1997, Watson & Woinarski 2003, Oakwood 2004). However, there is little data for most native predators on the frequency with which they prey on cane toads or the effects such frequency has on long-term population dynamics and extinction risk. There is also little evidence of other direct impacts by cane toads on native fauna, although declines in numbers of native predators may have cascading effects on other species (Shine 2010).

2 Management plan for cane toads in national parks and reserves 2012

Figure 1 Distribution of cane toads in northern NSW as indicated by species records from 1980–2011. Source: the Atlas of NSW Wildlife


Given the potential for significant adverse impacts on several native species, ‘invasion and establishment of cane toads’ has been listed as a key threatening process under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 – seewww.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/BufoMarinusKtp.htm. Similarly, ‘biological effects, including lethal toxic ingestion, caused by cane toads’ has been listed as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/ferals/cane-toads/index.html#ktp.Eradication of cane toads in NSW is not feasible given their high reproductive capacity, flexible habitat requirements and current widespread distribution. Furthermore, there are insufficient resources to control cane toads effectively in all areas where they coexist with native wildlife. Consistent with the goals of the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2008–2015 (NSW Department of Primary Industries 2008), management of cane toads in NSW should aim to:

prevent further spread of cane toads through the eradication of outlier populations and surveillance of and response to new populations (containment)

minimise the impacts of cane toads on biodiversity in areas of NSW where they are established and widespread, through targeted control (asset protection).

This plan outlines how cane toads will be managed in national parks and reserves in NSW (hereafter referred to as on-park) in keeping with the goals of containment and asset protection. In particular, management on-park will be determined by a containment line beyond which the objective will be to eradicate cane toads. Inside the containment line, the objective will be to minimise the impacts of cane toads on biodiversity through targeted control. The engagement of other land managers and the wider community in this approach may provide better information to guide management on-park and also benefit biodiversity across all tenures.


Objectives

The specific objectives of this plan are: 1. To eradicate all outlier populations of cane toads on-park. 2. To ensure no new populations of cane toads are established on-park beyond their current

distribution. 3. To minimise the impacts of cane toads on biodiversity on-park in areas of NSW where cane

toads are established and widespread. 4. To encourage other land managers and the broader community in NSW to adopt these

objectives.


Actions

Action 1: Identify and eradicate outlier populations of cane toads on-park To identify outlier populations of cane toads to target for eradication, a containment line was drawn based on their current known distribution (Figure 2). The line forms an envelope around the area of north-east NSW where records of cane toads are abundant and continuous. The line has been modified to take account of potential barriers to movement (e.g. the Clarence River), potential survey lines (e.g. major roads) and land tenure. The following known populations of cane toads in or immediately adjacent to parks were thus identified as outlier populations:

Bundjalung National Park

Mororo Creek Nature Reserve and surrounds

Yaegl Nature Reserve

Angourie, including the northern end of Yuraygir National Park

Brooms Head, adjacent to Yuraygir National Park

Taren Point, adjacent to Towra Point Nature Reserve. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will control cane toads on-park at the sites listed above with the objective of eradication. Control works will be detailed in a site plan as illustrated in Appendix 1 and will be planned and reported through the NPWS Pest and Weed Information System. NPWS will assist managers of adjacent lands to control cane toads on these sites as required.

Action 2: Undertake surveillance of and respond to new populations of cane toads on-park beyond their current distribution NPWS staff will submit observations of cane toads in or near parks outside the containment line to the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. Observations at sites with no current records (i.e. new sites) will also be reported to the NPWS Pest Management Officer for the Region. The Pest Management Officer will initiate the preparation of a site plan as described above under Action 1.

Action 3: Identify priority sites for management on-park in areas of NSW where cane toads are established and widespread, and initiate control programsRecords of threatened native predators at risk from cane toads were overlaid on the area delineated by the containment line (Figure 3). The records were accessed from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife database (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/about.htm). Note that expert opinion and data from Beckmann and Shine (2009) were used to refine the list of species at risk. Thus species of native frogs were included as some level of predation by native frogs on the tadpoles or eggs of cane toads is likely. However, some other native predators were excluded on the premise that they were unlikely to prey on cane toads (e.g. osprey). A total of 27 threatened native predator species at risk from cane toads were identified (Table 1). Priority sites for management were identified by considering:

the importance of the site to the species at risk

the likely or potential impacts of cane toads on that site

the feasibility of effective control.


Two priority sites for the control of cane toads on-park within the containment line were thus identified (Figure 4):

Border Ranges East

Nightcap (including Whian Whian State Conservation Area). Border Ranges East and Nightcap are priority sites since:

they have a high species richness of threatened species considered to be at risk from cane toads (at least 10 of the 27 species listed in Table 1 are present)

potential impacts are high (cane toads have invaded) cost-effective control remains feasible as cane toad numbers are still low and there is good access across the sites to support control works.

NPWS staff will control cane toads on-park within the Border Ranges East and Nightcap priority sites with the objective of minimising their impacts. Control works will be detailed in a site plan as illustrated in Appendix 1. Control works will be planned and reported through the NPWS Pest and Weed Information System. NPWS will assist managers of adjacent lands to control cane toads at these sites as required.

Action 4: Engage with other land managers and the broader community to encourage the adoption of this approach across tenure NPWS will liaise with other land managers and stakeholders to promote the application of the actions in this plan across tenures. Actions may include contributing to media and educational material and supporting stakeholder meetings. Site plans will outline education and liaison goals for each site (see Appendix 1).


Figure 2 Containment line for cane toads used to identify outlier populations in or near national parks to target for eradication.


Figure 3 Records of threatened native predators at risk from cane toads within the containment line. Source: Atlas of NSW Wildlife.


Table 1 Native predator species listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 at risk from cane toads within the proposed containment zone. Species with records in the proposed priority sites of Border Ranges East and Nightcap are marked.

Scientific name Common name Border Ranges East Nightcap

Amphibians

Assa darlingtoni Pouched frog

Crinia tinnula Wallum froglet

Litoria aurea Green and golden bell frog

Litoria brevipalmata Green-thighed frog

Litoria olongburensis Olongburra frog

Mixophyes fleayi Fleay’s barred frog

Mixophyes iterates Giant barred frog

Philoria kundagungan Mountain frog

Philoria loveredgei Loveridge’s frog

Reptiles

Cacophis harriettae White-crowned snake

Hoplocephalus bitorquatus Pale-headed snake

Hoplocephalus stephensii Stephens’ banded snake

Birds

Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian bittern

Circus assimilis Spotted harrier

Erythrotriorchis radiatus Red goshawk

Ixobrychus flavicollis Black bittern

Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed kite

Ninox connivens Barking owl

Ninox strenua Powerful owl

Podargus ocellatus Marbled frogmouth

Todiramphus chloris Collared kingfisher

Tyto capensis Grass owl

Tyto novaehollandiae Masked owl

Tyto tenebricosa Sooty owl

Mammals

Dasyurus maculatus Spotted-tailed quoll

Phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed phascogale

Planigale maculata Common planigale


Figure 4 Priority sites for management on-park within the containment line. Source: Atlas of NSW Wildlife.


Action 5: Monitor implementation and performance The NPWS Pest and Ecological Management Unit will remap the distribution of cane toads annually from records in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. This will not only contribute to reporting for the purposes of the NSW Invasive Species Plan 2008–2015 (NSW Department of Primary Industries 2008), but it will also allow the containment line and the associated priorities for control to be revised. Site coordinators will report on the implementation and success of site plans at priority sites annually.

Table 2 Performance measures and timeframes

Action 6: Manage data Cane toad records will be entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife database. Control works on-park will be planned and reported through the NPWS Pest and Weed Information System.

Action 7: Ensure effective governance Implementation of this plan will be overseen by the NPWS Pest and Ecological Management Unit and Coastal Branch Planning and Coordination Section. The Pest and Ecological Management Unit will liaise with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, collate data and report as required. The Pest and Ecological Management Unit will update this plan as required, in consultation with Coastal Branch Planning and Coordination Section.

Performance measure Timeframe

Develop site plans for all priority sites 6 months after endorsement of this plan

Revise map of cane toad distribution Annually

Review priority control areas and develop associated site plans as required Annually

Report on site plan implementation and success Annually


References

Beckmann C & Shine R 2009, ‘Impact of invasive cane toads on Australian birds’, Conservation Biology 23(6), pp 1544–1549. Burnett S 1997, ‘Colonising cane toads cause population declines in native predators: reliable anecdotal information and management implications‘, Pacific Conservation Biology 3, pp 65–72. Hayes RA, Crossland MR, Hagman M, Capon RJ & Shine R 2009, ‘Ontogenetic variation in the chemical defences of cane toads (Bufo marinus): toxin profiles and effects on predators‘, Journal of Chemical Ecology 35, pp 391–399. NSW Department of Primary Industries 2008, NSW Invasive Species Plan 2008–2015, visit http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/nsw-invasive-species-plan.Oakwood M 2004,The effect of cane toads on a marsupial carnivore, the northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus, report to Parks Australia. Shine R 2010, ‘The ecological impact of invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) in Australia’, QuarterlyReview of Biology 85(3), pp 253–291. Watson M and Woinarski J 2003, Vertebrate monitoring and re-sampling in Kakadu National Park, 2002, report to Parks Australia, Tropical Savannas Cooperative Research Centre, Darwin.


Appendices

Appendix 1 Example of a site plan for cane toad control actions Note: this is an example only. More effective or up-to-date control methods may be used in the actual site plans. Site plan for cane toad management – Border Ranges East

Description of location

Border Ranges National Park – eastern section of World Heritage area along Tweed Range Scenic Drive

Date prepared 8/4/11 Date for review 8/4/13

Participants

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Coastal Branch, Northern Rivers Region, Kyogle Area Northern Landcare Support Services – (Kyogle) Tara Patel Southern Cross University – School of Environmental Sciences – David Newell

Sitecoordinator(s)

SteveKing(6632 0004) LisaWellman (6627 0214)

Objectives 1. To reduce the distribution and number of cane toads in Border Ranges NP. 2. To reduce the impact of cane toads on threatened species by controlling cane toads. 3. To stop cane toads breeding in Border Ranges NP (Tweed Range Scenic Drive).

Justification Identified priority cane toad control site. Effective cane toad control is feasible.

Constraints

There are a number of constraints in the implementation of works:

success of capture is largely determined by prevailing weather conditions (warm, wet and humid conditions)

timing of monitoring and collection is at night (after 20:00hrs) and is seasonal (approx October–March)

the site is often subject to extreme weather that results in park closures and difficult conditions, i.e. tree falls, that are unsafe or make areas inaccessible for a period of time

site access is difficult given the high elevation, dense rainforest vegetation and steep terrain

cane toads occur in the agricultural lands adjoining Border Ranges NP including the surrounding Tweed Valley and adjacent valleys near Wiangaree, Kyogle.

Site status

Cane toad control has been conducted on this site since 2005. A total of 411 cane toads have been captured since this time. Toad numbers continue to increase, especially in 2008–09, with general activity peaking in February each year. Monitoring and control effort to date has largely been funded by Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (Northern Rivers CMA) which has employed contractors to manage manual collection with support from NPWS staff.

CMA region Northern Rivers CMA Cane toad management

Manual collection

Vehicle-based targeted monitoring and collection along the Tweed Range Scenic Drive (42 km one way or 84 km return), within the park. Slow driving along the road with frequent stopping areas. Areas around picnic, lookout and visitor facilities are targeted, particularly around Tweed Valley and Blackbutts lookout where concentrations of cane toads are highest. All cane toads collected are bagged, then euthanised using AQUI-S®.

Traps Remote site – unsuitable due to theft of trap components.

Habitatmodification

Relevant to private lands adjoining the park. Suggested by Northern Landcare Support Services (Northern Rivers CMA Community Support Officers)

Community muster N/A – given the nature of the collection along roadways and steep conditions at night.

School education ‘Trap that Toad’ school education program provided by the Northern Rivers Region Discovery Program to schools in adjoining areas such as Collins Creek, Wiangaree, The Risk and Rukenvale public schools.

Survey and collection As above


Community education

Northern Landcare Support Services and NPWS disseminate the ‘Stop the Toad’ ‘Frog or Toad’ and ‘Cane Toad Life Cycle’ brochures.

Cane toad monitoring

David Newell from Southern Cross University has been collecting information on body size, weight and sex of each individual captured. Some spool tracking has also been undertaken tracking the distances cane toads are travelling – on average 59 m per night, up to 250 m per night. Some gut analysis has been undertaken of animals collected in Border Ranges NP.

Exclusion fencing N/A – Northern Landcare Support Services advises landholders about off-stream water supply and dam management including exclusion fencing suggestions for cane toad management.

Planning documents Federal/multi-species Plans Border Ranges Biodiversity Management Plan, NSW and Qld, March 2010

State Tweed Caldera Group of Reserves – Border Ranges National Park Plan of Management Regional Northern Rivers Region Pest Management Strategy Cane toad monitoring

Road based surveys undertaken each February. Native species of interest

Monitoring David Newell (Southern Cross University) has been monitoring the endangered Fleay’s barred frog (Mixophyes fleayi) in Border Ranges National Park.

Data

Recording format Cane toad collections are recoded electronically using an IPAQ and collated as a shape file for ARC GIS at the end of each season. A report summarises the number of toads caught and other information of interest.

Collation and storage

All electronic data (shape files) to be provided by the contractor to the site coordinator for storage on G drive by the Regional NPWS GIS STO. Cane toad monitoring data to be submitted to the Atlas of NSW Wildlife.

Stakeholders

OEH, NPWS Northern Rivers Region

NRR Pest Mgmt Officer:

Overall coordination of cane toad control programs

NRR Discovery Coordinator:

Programming and implementing ‘Trap that Toad’ school education program

Northern Landcare Support Services (Kyogle)

Community Support Officer (Tara Patel):

Community support and information dissemination to private landholders

OEH, NPWS Kyogle Area

Ranger – Border Ranges NP:

Project management – engagement and supervision of contractor

Frontline staff:

Provide community education through the dissemination of cane toad brochures and information

Tweed Shire Council

Frontline staff:


OEH, NPWS Tweed Area

Frontline staff


Southern Cross University

Environmental science staff (David Newell):

Continue supporting existing cane toad control programs and future programs.

Continue monitoring Fleays barred frog in Border Ranges National Park.

Encourage students to undertake research in cane toad management in Border Ranges National Park.


Timetable

Who Task Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

PestManagement Officer

Secure funds X X

Ranger –Kyogle

Engage contractor X

Discovery Coordinator

Organise and Implement ‘Trap that Toad‘ in identified schools

X X X

Contractor Undertake survey, monitoring and collection of cane toads in Border Ranges National Park.

X X X X X

Ranger – Kyogle

Assist in survey, monitoring and control of cane toads – as required

X X X X X

Contractor Submit report

Senior Ranger, Neighbour andCommunity Relations

Prepare, seek approval for and release relevant media materials (pre- and post season re results)

X X

Southern CrossUniversity

Assist with survey and control of cane toads (as available)

X X X X X

Ranger - Kyogle

Provide electronic data to NPWS Senior Technical Officer

X

NPWS Senior Technical Officer

Store electronic data

X

PestManagement Officer

AssistRanger/Senior Ranger, Neighbour and Community Relations to manage, publicise and increase awareness of program

X X X X X X


Estimated resources required

Cane toad monitoring and control(contractor)

Contract – cane toad survey, monitoring and control (indicative only) Approx : $80/hr x 8 hours/night (19:00–02:00) x 3 consecutive nights ($1,960) Once per month for 5 months (Nov–March) = $9,600. Prepare report – $500

$9,600

$ $10,100 $500

Project management(NPWS)

NPWS project manager (Ranger) and Pest Management Officer coordinate procurement of contractor to undertake cane toad control

respond to media and public enquiries

distribute material and report as required

provide data to Coastal Branch

provide other reporting as required

4 days – Ranger ($50/hr x 7 hrs ) x 4 days = $1,400 Travel – 4 days x $62 = $248 2 days – Pest Management Officer ($44/hr x 7 hrs) x 2 days = $616 1 day – Senior Technical Officer ($45/hr x 7 hrs) x 1 day = $315

staff-days1

$ $2,579

vehicle-days2

$ other

School education and media relations

NPWS Discovery Coordinator to plan and implement ‘Trap that Toad’ school education program.

– (Discovery Ranger approx $300/day (7 hours) is about 6 education days excluding coordinator’s prep time ($2,000)

– Vehicle – 6 days @ $62/day = $372 – Discovery coordinator 2 days prep/year @($40/hr) =

$560

NPWS Senior Ranger, Neighbour and Community Relations to prepare and publicise media releases.

– Prepare releases, seek approval, manage media 2 days per year ($50/hr x 7 = $700)

Pest Management Officer – media response = 1 day per year ($44/hr x 7 = 308)

staff-days1

$ 3,940

vehicle-days2

$ casual discovery Rangers - $2K

1. Staff costs calculated @ $100000/240 days or ~ $420/day as 1 full-time-equivalent = 240 days = $100000

2. Vehicle costs calculated @ $62/day

Disclaimer The actions above describe the works that may be necessary to achieve the objective. Implementation of this site plan is subject to resource availability.

Signature

OEH

Northern Rivers Regional Manager


Appendix 2 Annual implementation budget Specific details of control are outlined in localised cane toad control site plans NRR – Northern Rivers Region, NCR – North Coast Region, SCU – Southern Cross University, PMO – Pest Management Officer, CB – Coastal Branch, WB – Western Branch, SRNCR – Senior Ranger, Neighbour and Community Relations

Priority Task Responsibility Cost Total

Action 1 Bundjalung

Education NRR Discovery Coordinator $500

$13,179 Survey and collection

SCU and NRR PMO and Ranger $12,679

Media relations SRNCR In-kind

Action 1 Mororo

Collection of toads from key breeding sites

Contractor $8,000

$13,500 Education NRR Discovery Coordinator $500

Habitatmodification

Contractor $5,000

Action 1 Angourie

Survey and collection

Contractor, Ranger $5,000

$5,500


Action 1 Yaegl


Contractor, Ranger, PMO $5,000

$8,000 Education and community liaison

Contractor, SRNCR $3,000

Action 1 Brooms Head


Contractor, Ranger, PMO $10,000

$12,000 Education and community liaison

SRNCR, Discovery Rangers and Contractor $2,000

Action 1 Taren Point

Education Sutherland Shire Council and OEH $2,000

$7000 Collection of toads from key breeding sites

Contractor $5,000


Action 2 Control at newly detected sites (contingency)

All NPWS Regions with cane toad reports $10,000 $10,000

Action 3 Border Ranges East





Action 3 Nightcap





Total cost $95,537

management plan for cane toads in national parks and ...€¦ · ... xcost-effective control...

Documents