Australia’s popular Kimberley wilderness region has resorted to a long knee-high fence to keep out the poisonous cane toad, which is rapidly overrunning the tourist attraction.
A 2km barrier will be erected at Emma Gorge, made from cloth to allow other animals to move through while keeping out the toads, prolific breeders that secrete a toxin that can kill pets and wildlife.
Stop the Toad Foundation campaign manager Kim Hands said hundreds of thousands of toads had penetrated into the area and were threatening native species.
Photo: AFP/Imperial College London/Dr. Matthew Fischer
照片：法新社／倫敦帝國學院／馬修‧費雪博士
“Experience in the past has been that it has been really efficient,” she said of the fence.
The cane toad has spread widely in tropical Australia since being introduced to kill beetles in the 1930s, devouring insects, bird’s eggs and native species such as the quoll, a cat-like marsupial.
But a recent investigation by the University of Melbourne showed that the toad — up to 25cm long and 2kg in weight — has an Achilles’ heel.
Photo: AFP/Parc National des Pyrenees
照片：法新社／庇里牛斯山國家公園
Unlike indigenous amphibians that have adapted to arid conditions, it desperately needs access to nearby standing water to survive.
Placing small fencing around man-made sources such as irrigation ditches and troughs is enough to cause the toad to die of dehydration and stop its advance, said the study.
(AFP)
澳洲熱門的金柏利野生地區築起一道高度及膝的長圍籬，以防堵有毒的蔗蟾（又名海蟾蜍）入侵。
Photo: AFP/Imperial College London/Dr. Matthew Fischer
照片：法新社／倫敦帝國學院／馬修‧費雪博士
在艾瑪峽谷築起的一道兩公里長的圍籬是用布料做成，如此在可以讓除了蔗蟾以外的動物進出自如。蔗蟾繁殖能力強，其分泌的毒素足以使寵物與野生動物致命。
遏止蟾蜍基金會的活動經理金姆‧漢茲說，數千隻蟾蜍已經侵入這個區域且危及當地的物種。
她說，「過去經驗告訴我們這個方法已是非常有效率的。」
自從蔗蟾在一九三零年代引進澳洲試圖控制甘蔗田的甲蟲後，牠們就廣泛繁衍，吞噬昆蟲、鳥蛋與狀似貓的有袋類動物袋鼬等當地物種。
不過墨爾本大學的一項新的科學研究顯示，蔗蟾─可達二十五公分長與兩公斤重─有個致命傷。
蔗蟾不像土生土長的兩棲動物可以適應乾燥的氣候狀況，牠需要隨時鄰近水源才能存活。
這個研究指出，在灌溉溝渠與飼料槽等人造水源周圍架設小型圍籬，就足以讓蔗蟾因為脫水而死亡並阻擋牠們入侵。
（法新社／翻譯：林亞蒂）
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced policymakers in Asia to face questions over the security of other maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, which is the world’s busiest waterway for international trade. WHAT IS THE MALACCA STRAIT? The 900km long Malacca Strait, bounded by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, provides the shortest sea route from East Asia to the Middle East and Europe. It carries nearly 22 percent of the world’s maritime trade, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). This includes oil and gas shipments from the Middle East to the energy-hungry economies of China,
One reason pistachios have taken the food world by storm compared to other nuts is their soft, green color. When ground down into a cream or butter, the green hue __6__ nicely with golden pastries or dark-brown chocolate, making it perfect for Instagram photos and TikTok videos. Their labor-intensive cultivation and __7__ also contribute to their image as a premium ingredient. Thus, buying a pistachio-based product often feels like a __8__ treat. Pistachios also stand out for their distinct flavor and health __9__. They have a subtle, sweet, earthy flavor that goes well with both sweet desserts and
Cameras are everywhere — in our pockets, on our walls and even in space. They capture emotions, preserve history and reflect culture. Through these devices, photography is now essential to modern life, influencing how we perceive ourselves and the world. To understand the root of their power, let’s explore the camera’s remarkable journey. The story begins with the camera obscura, a dark room with a tiny hole. Light passing through the opening projected an inverted image on the opposite wall. Renaissance artists used this principle to paint accurate scenes. However, these images couldn’t be preserved as photographs. That changed
A: This year’s two most anticipated films have finally hit theaters in Taiwan. “Michael” premiered last Wednesday, while “The Devil Wears Prada 2” premiered this Wednesday ahead of its global release. B: Isn’t “Michael” the biopic about the late King of Pop Michael Jackson? A: Yup, it tells the story of Michael’s legendary life, from child star to global icon. And the role is in fact played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson. B: Michael caused a sensation when touring Taiwan twice in 1993 and 1996. His classic hits, dance moves and music videos reshaped global pop culture at that time. A: I’m gonna
RSS