Page 89 - Port Douglas Magazine 42

and doesn’t so much jump but sashays; in white is Skippy’s Lovechild (actually “THE ARENA
found in a dead kangaroo’s pouch - whilst searching for a possible alive joey
after being killed in a road accident); in red is the man-hating Camel Toad, in ATMOSPHERE WAS
blue is the patriotic Aussie Aussie Aussie; in orange (of course he is LOL) is
Donald Jump and finally in black, Jebediah Springfield, named after the founder ELECTRIC AS THESE
of Springfield in the Simpsons, who also had a prosthetic silver tongue. Cane FINELY HONED
toads have such long tongues they practically lick their own hearts as they eat!
A few rules are given to the jockeys before commencement. No head sucking ATHLETIC BEINGS
on cane toads, No fingers up derrieres to chivvy them along and No slam STARTED TO LOLLOP
dunking in buckets.
As tradition dictates, all jockeys must give their steeds a good luck kiss before LEISURELY”
being placed in the starting position (an upturned bucket). Sadly, none turn into
princes in the process.
The race starts when the bucket is raised and the jockeys positioned around
the table use party blowers to gently cajole their steeds to the edge of the table.
The arena atmosphere was electric as these finely honed athletic beings started
to lollop leisurely. Despite frantic party blowering by the jockeys it was a one
toad race. Before the jockey could cup her hand to catch her, Camel Toad had
leapt right off the table. She’d decided to return to her cane toad life of obscurity.
Shunning the bright lights of the arena she was now on her dash under the
chairs of the spectators back to her cane toad ghetto.
The crowd whelped with delight and were baying for the next round (now with
one contestant down).
For this quirky family entertainment and an all round fun evening (with delicious
food a bonus) Cane Toad racing is a ‘must do’ while visiting Port Douglas.
CANE TOAD HISTORY
Introduced to Australia in the 1930s from Hawaii to control cane beetles, cane
toads were ineffective due to their inability to reach the beetles living high up
in the cane. Instead, the toads reproduced rapidly and by August 1935, their
numbers had soared from 102 to 2,400. Further releases across northern
Australia led to an explosion in population, with estimates now ranging from
200 million to 10 billion. Cane toads spread at about 50 km per year and lay up
to 30,000 eggs per spawn. Although some native birds like crows and magpies
have learned to feed on non-toxic parts of the toads, their unchecked growth
poses a significant ecological threat.
But rather than share all of Nicky G’s facts and interesting anecdotes about
everything Cane Toads go and check it out for yourself.
Only $6 per person to watch & great affordable family fun & dining!
No cane toads were harmed in the writing of this article or the racing of the toad.
From 6pm Tuesday - Saturday
at Chilly’s Pizzeria & Trattoria,
2 Mowbray Street, Port Douglas