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Will they stop at nothing?
VANCOUVER - A conservation biologist is urging an all-out assault on the American bullfrog in British Columbia this spring, saying the amphibians are a threat to aquatic ecosystems.
Stan Orchard says the bullfrog has a varied diet. Snakes, turtles and birds have been prey. Even cats aren't safe from the invaders, which can grow to the size of a dinner plate.
The American bullfrog was imported as a delicacy for the dinner table, but now they're doing the dining in increasing numbers. They'll eat just about anything that will fit into their mouths.
At greatest risk are other species of frogs and small ducks. The bullfrogs are blamed for wiping out the Cranberry Lake duck population.
"There's no questions about the ecological impact of bullfrogs on the region," Orchard says. "It's going to change water chemistry in some areas, and it's certainly going to remove some species from the local ecosystems."
For years, local biologists have studied the population boom; now Orchard says it's time to act.
"We don't have the luxury of time to really get numbers on the population. What we'll being doing is what's called the removal technique you simply keep removing them and removing them until your numbers drop off to zero."
Once the ice thaws, Orchard hopes to get to work, zapping the frogs with an electrical charge to stun them and make trapping easier.
Local governments have chipped in cash, but so far, Orchard says it's not nearly enough to win the war.
Stan Orchard says the bullfrog has a varied diet. Snakes, turtles and birds have been prey. Even cats aren't safe from the invaders, which can grow to the size of a dinner plate.
The American bullfrog was imported as a delicacy for the dinner table, but now they're doing the dining in increasing numbers. They'll eat just about anything that will fit into their mouths.
At greatest risk are other species of frogs and small ducks. The bullfrogs are blamed for wiping out the Cranberry Lake duck population.
"There's no questions about the ecological impact of bullfrogs on the region," Orchard says. "It's going to change water chemistry in some areas, and it's certainly going to remove some species from the local ecosystems."
For years, local biologists have studied the population boom; now Orchard says it's time to act.
"We don't have the luxury of time to really get numbers on the population. What we'll being doing is what's called the removal technique you simply keep removing them and removing them until your numbers drop off to zero."
Once the ice thaws, Orchard hopes to get to work, zapping the frogs with an electrical charge to stun them and make trapping easier.
Local governments have chipped in cash, but so far, Orchard says it's not nearly enough to win the war.
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