About 1,000 frogs have been released into creeks in a barangay in Quezon City as part of its mission to fight dengue. However, despite their intentions, releasing the frogs is more likely to create more dangerous problems in the area.
With the intention of having the frogs kill the mosquitos, netizens pointed out that the frogs might end up killing even pets and humans.
Barangay Captain Allan Franza was the man responsible for the release of the frogs, which he first thought were bullfrogs. But, experts who saw the online video of the release clarified that the frogs were actually cane toads.
Cane toads are invasive Central American Cane Toads that were first brought in the Philippines to control the pests in sugar cane plantations, according to Marites B. Sanguila, herpetologist at the Biodiversity Informatics and Research Center of Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City.
In an interview with Rappler, Sanguila added that cane toads are known to be an invasive species in the country and are “notoriously harmful, pests and invasive species.”
Meanwhile, wildlife biologist Carmela Espanola told CNN Philippines that touching the frogs could cause nausea, severe allergy, and even death.
According to Rappler, at least 3,500 were infected by dengue in Quezon City alone, and 29 of them have died.
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