A dead black-spined toad was found in the shoe of a traveller returning from Indonesia at Cairns airport in late March.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources confirmed the toad was thought to have been alive when the passenger put his shoe on.
The black-spined toad is a relative of the cane toad and could potentially be more damaging to native wildlife and habitat. Frogs and toads are quite common hitchhikers inside unsuspecting passengers’ shoes.
“With increasing global travel, we are facing heightened risk of unwanted pests and diseases entering Australia,” said Inca Pearce, CEO of Vinehealth Australia. “Next time you travel, make sure you’re not sharing your shoes.”
