NT traps manage toad numbers
11:50 AEDT Sun Jan 16 2005

Cane Toads are being successfully trapped in the Northern Territory, experts said.

The Sunday Territorian reported that field trials have shown that cane toads can be eliminated locally through trapping.

FrogWatch joint coordinator Graeme Sawyer said test site have been kept relatively toad-free with a single cage trap.

"Our tests near Katherine and Adelaide River showed that traps initially catch all the toads in the area around a house or block within a few weeks," Mr Sawyer said.

"Any new toads that move into the same area are also quickly caught."

He said the toads are attracted to a solar-powered light placed in the trap or the insects that are attracted by the light.

The one-way gate trap allows toads to push their way into a cage from which they can't escape.

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Pie in the sky answer I think. This might be fine around a house, but what about the untold thousands and thousands of square kilometres of bush?