The ecological balance of this island continent was disrupted when the first settlers arrived from Europe, introducing exotic species such as rabbits into the delicate Australian ecosystem. One of the most devastating introductions was the Cane Toad, Bufo marinus.

The introduction of the cane toad into Australia began in the 1930s to biologically control the Grey-back Beetles. The beetles were extremely destructive in the sugar cane fields of northern Queensland. The Cane Toad, native to Mexico and South America, was believed to be the solution to the problem. Despite protests from natural history societies, and naturalists, 101 Cane Toads were released into Australia in 1935.