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Deformity Rates Of Up To 20% In Cane Toads In Gladstone, Queensland - Extra Eyes, Limbs, Etc.
This cane toad caught in Gladstone was found with an extra leg growing from its sternum. Photo: Supplied
A concerning rate of "mutant toads" with extra limbs and missing eyes are being found in the industrial Queensland city of Gladstone.
Scott Wilson from Central Queensland University said up to 20 per cent of cane toads in certain areas in Gladstone were found with "malformations", compared with 1 per cent of the population in non-urban areas.
On average, between 6 and 8 per cent of 10,000 cane toads examined across the Gladstone region have been found with abnormalities in the past three years. Cane toads have been found with a fifth leg growing from their chest, while others have been found with missing limbs.
The toads are caught for environmental research by a council-run team of Gladstone Toadbusters. The group catches as many as 500 toads in an hour.
EDIT
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/animals/mutant-cane-toads-invade-gladstone-20130211-2e83z.html
