Frog discovery raises alarm bells

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i 09 February 2019, 12:00AM

The discovery of a frog at the Ministry of Revenue car-park in Apia has raised alarm bells.

The Government veterinarian immediately took custody of the amphibian and placed it under his custody, pending the outcome of an inquiry into its origins.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Vui Pelenato Fonoti, told the Sunday Samoan in a phone interview that the veterinarian has to determine its origins. 

“The Veterinarian will dissect the invasive species to determine where it originated from. The presence of a frog is a concern. However, the matter is under control."

“We don’t want any frogs in for many valid reasons. Frogs can damage our water supply, and it is highly poisonous to pets and that its toxin can also cause skin and eye irritation in humans,” he said. 

The Government veterinarian is yet to advise whether the frog is a male or female, added Vui. 

“If it’s a female, the vet will have to outline in his report whether there were eggs and if there are then its good, which was the case three years ago when a frog was also cited.” 

Vui said in the last case, a female frog was discovered and it was fortunate that they also found the eggs, as enabling the amphibian to lay its eggs would have been an issue. 

In relation to the latest discovery, Vui said: “We have to find the source, where this frog came from, how it managed to pass through the country’s border security. We are looking at how it came into Samoa, was it through a container. These are all the aspects of protecting our country and borders from unwanted invasive species.” 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i 09 February 2019, 12:00AM

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