Since they have hit the tropical zone and prospered in better and better conditions, their rate of progress has been exponential. They almost doubled their mode of progression this wet season compared with last wet season as they progressed north into Arnhem Land and up the Katherine River catchment and so on. So, it's more than about 100km a year at the moment. They've now crossed into Kakadu National Park in the far north of Australia, a jewel in Australia's list of World Heritage sites. They're expected to thrive here and their impact on native species is most causing concern among the country's scientists.
Cane toads eat a wide variety of prey, compete for food and have highly toxic chemical defences.
An assessment last year by government scientists noted serious concern that the status of Kakadu National Park could be diminished. They're going to be visible all around Kakadu, all around the resorts. They'll be around the lawns and the lights at night time. And there's not a lot we can do about that. So yes, in a sense, I guess they will be the first feral species that are in people's faces in Kakadu.