Should there be a ban on all imports of alien species like the cane toad?

Invasive Species

Ever since man has traveled from land to land, he has brought with him species that have turned out to be invasive in the new country, because they are not kept under control by their natural predators. In the long term, the ecosystem would adapt, but not without severe damage to some species and human activities, in some cases. For example, rats introduced to an island may kill off the resident ground-nesting birds by eating their eggs, which is bad for the birds and the people who ate them oar their eggs. Of course, some invasions have nothing to do with man, for example new volcanic islands are often colonized naturally by sea and by air. Some introductions are accidental or negligent, for example those in ship's ballast. But some introductions are deliberate, with species either being brought to be a food source, to be decorative, or to control pests. Sometimes these introductions can turn out to have unforeseen negative consequences, as is the case with the cane toad mentioned in one of today's stories, or fallow and axis deer.

Engineers Redesign Roads to Save Moose

The number of moose struck by vehicles on America's roads is increasing. Now traffic engineers are looking for ways to reduce the numbers, using sensors and flashing lights, and rocks beside the road to slow the moose down. Animal underpasses are not popular with moose, and large enough fences are very costly. Sensors have worked well in Switzerland.

Elephant Kills Two, Injures Two in India

A berserk elephant in a busy shopping area in Gauhati, northeastern India killed 2 people.

EU Ponders Suspending Corn Gluten Imports

Following the inadvertent importation of unauthorized Bt10 genetically modified corn from the United States, the European Union may suspending imports of corn gluten animal feed from America.

Wayward Llama Surprises Wisconsin Family

A Llama escaped in Wisconsin, surprising the couple whose property it turned up on.

Australia Lawmaker Urges Killing Toads

An Australian lawmaker has upset some by suggesting that people kill the poisonous invasive cane toad by bludgeoning them with implements such as cricket bats. The cane toads were originally imported to control beetles on sugar cane, but they ran wild causing considerable damage to the ecosystem.

Should there be a ban on all imports of alien species like the cane toad?

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