ABC star Tony Armstrong has been criticized for suggesting Australians consider eating cane toads in an upcoming series.
The show, titled Eat The Invaders, is hosted by the former ABC News Breakfast star and will air in 2025.
A trailer for the series proposes that consuming invasive species such as carp, deer, camels and cane toads could be a “tasty solution” to Australia’s invasive species problem.
In the trailer, Armstrong is seen holding a notoriously toxic cane toad, with a large knife placed precariously over the creature.
‘But what if we could help? Reimagining this problem as a tasty solution,” Armstrong asks during the shocking scene.
The series is expected to feature six meals, each focusing on a specific invasive species as the main ingredient.
However, in a column for Sydney Morning HeraldDr. Carol Booth, senior policy analyst for the Invasive Species Council, condemned the idea of eating cane toads.
Dr Booth said that while the idea of consuming invasive species might be well-intentioned, it could actually make the situation worse.
ABC star Tony Armstrong (pictured) has been criticized for suggesting Australians consider eating cane toads in an upcoming series.
“It’s an attractive argument and the intentions are good, but believing that eating Australia’s invasive species will solve the problem is unrealistic and could exacerbate it,” Dr Booth explained.
“The show, by presenting these animals as food, risks making their presence more desirable, creating a dangerous paradox that could lead to the further spread of some species.”
Dr. Booth added that the Invasive Species Council had raised the issue with series producers, but their efforts went unheeded.
‘This is something that the Invasive Species Council brought to the creators of the program when it was just a concept. “Unfortunately, our biology-based message was not as delightful,” he added.
The cane toad was introduced to Australia in 1938 and since then its population has increased from 102 million to approximately 200 million, according to WWF Australia.
Armstrong’s cane toad stunt follows his announcement in September that he was leaving ABC News Breakfast, which surprised viewers.
“I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,” Tony mentioned on air.
‘I have retired from News Brekkie and my last day will be October 4.
The trailer for the upcoming series Eat The Invaders shows Armstrong holding a notoriously toxic cane toad before the scene cuts to a large knife placed precariously over the creature.
However, in a column for the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Carol Booth, senior policy analyst at the Invasive Species Council, condemned the message about cane toad consumption.
“I just want to thank absolutely everyone: all of you, my colleagues, everyone behind the camera, all the producers, all the people who also watch and go out and say good morning and all that kind of stuff.” ”, he continued.
“Um, yeah, it’s been kind of a whirlwind three-plus years, a lot has happened, it feels like I’ve been on a rocket, but the support I’ve gotten from News Brekkie AND the news in general has been incredible.
“Thank you so much, I’m going to miss the couch. I’m not going to miss the alarm, but I’m going to miss the couch. I had a great time.”
Armstrong’s shock departure came just weeks after he was nominated for the prestigious Gold Logie, losing out to Seven star Larry Emdur.
“It’s an attractive and well-intentioned argument, but the idea that eating Australia’s invasive species can help solve the problem is a fantasy and could make things worse,” Dr Booth wrote.