In 1935, Australia released 2,400 cane toads to control crop-eating beetles today, an estimated 200 million invasive toads threaten 75 wildlife species, making it one of the country’s most notorious ecological disasters

In 1935, Australia introduced cane toads to control beetles harming sugar cane crops. However, the toads did not reduce beetle populations as expected and thrived instead. Their rapid reproduction resulted in over 200 million toads across Queensland and beyond. Cane toads significantly endangered native wildlife through predation and toxic exposure while competing for resources. This case exemplifies how well-intentioned solutions can result in unforeseen ecological consequences.