Cane toads explode from beyond the grave

Residual fermentation ToadJus

By Chris Williams • Get more from this author

Posted in Biology, 21st September 2006 09:43 GMT

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We all know fertiliser is used by terrorists to make high explosives all the time. Now, a fertiliser made from pulverised cane toads in Australia has gardeners checking their sheds for self-detonation.

ToadJus, as the the product is tastefully dubbed, was created by Northern territory environmental group FrogWatch from the rotting remains of exterminated cane toads. The amphibians are a pest in Australlia, having been introduced to combat another invader, the cane beetle.

The "sticky, vile-smelling" liquid has been a hit with green-fingered Aussies following its launch at a gardening show. Some 300 bottles have been sold, but now it seems - like a fine wine - the ToadJus needs time to mature.

News.com.au reports that FrogWatch co-ordinator Graeme Sawyer said: "The batch sold was very young and, it now seems, still undergoing residual fermentation.

"We don't need to go to product recall - the ToadJus is fine but the pressure needs to be relieved if bottles are being kept for later use."

"We have another thousand or so bottles in storage that have had all their caps loosened, and in future the product will be vat stored for two months to ensure fermentation is complete." ®

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