Expert expresses concern over release of 1,000 cane toads in a QC barangay

The supposed anti-dengue measure of releasing 1,000 frogs in a barangay in Quezon City could be harmful to the ecosystem, according to a herpetologist from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños on Thursday.

In a report by Dano Tingcungco in State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, Professor Leticia Afuang said cane toads and not frogs known as "palakang bukid" were released in Barangay Old Balara as characterized by their rough skin.

A herpetologist is an expert on amphibians and reptiles.

She said the invasive cane toads thrive even in dirty environments.

"They can destroy the area. They can change the ecosystem conditions of the area. Toads love lights. They will stay in lighted areas where they can find insects," she said.

"I find them very abundant in poultry areas where there is a lot of fecal material. Doing so, what will they get? Parasites themselves. They get diseases, they can be vectors of other diseases," she added.

Further, Afuang said cane toads have poison glands which may pose as a threat to the safety of other animals such as cats and dogs.

Barangay officials, on the other hand, stood firm that the frogs they released were safe for the environment.

"'Yung pinanggalingan niya komunidad din naman eh doon sa Rizal at wala namang insidente roon na nakaapekto sa mga nakatira doon," said Brgy. Old Balara Chairman Alan Franza.

Afuang said it is not too late to reverse the situation by collecting all the frogs and killing them or turning them over to school laboratories for experiments. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News