Avoid, report harmful toads

Courtesy Photo | The cane toad, or Bufo marinus, has recently been found at locations on Camp Kinser. The toad, which has not been found on any other Marine Corps installation on the island, can be identified by their skin, which ranges in shades of yellow-brown, red-brown and olive-green, with white spots occasionally seen on their backs. Their bellies are yellow with black flecks. (Photo courtesy of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

11.09.2011

Story by Sgt. Heather Brewer 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - U.S. Forces Japan, along with the government of Japan’s Ministry of Environment, has been working to control the population of a certain type of harmful toad, the Bufo marinus, or cane toad, which was recently found on Camp Kinser.

The toad, which has not been found on any other Marine Corps installation on the island, can be identified by its skin, which ranges in shades of yellow-brown, red-brown and olive-green, with white spots occasionally seen on the toads’ backs. Their bellies are yellow with black flecks, according to Mitsugu Sugiyama, a natural resources specialist with the Camp Foster Environmental Office.

“When threatened, the toad can emit a toxin from warts on its back,” said Sugiyama. “While sometimes fatal to animals if ingested, most human injury is skin or eye irritation.”

While avoiding the toad if sighted is the best line of defense, there are steps to treat symptoms if contact is made.

“The [toad's] poison is absorbed through mucous membranes such as eyes, mouth and nose, and in humans may cause intense pain, temporary blindness and inflammation,” said Navy Lt. Carl Blaesing, the environmental health officer for U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa. “Initial first aid treatment includes flushing the eyes, mouth and nose with plenty of water, but seek medical attention if any symptoms persist.”

The cane toad is native to South America, but has been introduced in other parts of the world to control pests in sugar cane crops, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Library.

“The toad was intentionally introduced to the Bonin Islands of Tokyo and the Daito Islands and Sakishima Island of Okinawa to control sugar cane pests,” said Sugiyama. “However, the toad was not introduced to the main island of Okinawa.”

As of late October, 570 cane toads have been found aboard Camp Kinser, but Marine Corps environmental officials are taking proactive steps to stop the spread of the toad.

“We have been collecting the toads since August. Once collected, the toads are inventoried and disposed of by base officials,” said Sugiyama.

Additionally, the base environmental office plans to institute other controls to help stop the spread of the species.

“Our office will be modifying potential breeding sites like puddles by burying them,” said Sugiyama. “We will also inspect any other standing water on the camp for tadpoles, so we can minimize breeding and population growth.”

The Marine Corps takes environmental safety issues and the safety of the local population and native species very seriously.

“We are committed to taking any and all proactive steps to help with the collection and removal of this species,” said Sugiyama. “Additionally, we are committed to addressing this issue in a way that will minimize the effects on the surrounding species and environment.”

If a toad is found on a Marine Corps installation, please call 645-5970. If found outside of a military installation, contact the Ministry of Environment at 098-858-5824.

• Date Taken: 11.09.2011
• Date Posted: 11.13.2011 01:45
• Story ID: 79973
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP