Quote Originally Posted by ViperJr View Post
People that want a souvenir and can actually take something as terrible as the cane toad invasion and enjoy it? It's great that people can make money from them (and kill a few at the same time, even if it's hardly noticeable), brining at least something out of this ecological disaster that is the cane toads in Australia. I don't see any problem with the face still being on the purse. I mean, sure I wouldn't want that, but that's a matter of taste. I'm sure some find it hilarious, and good for them. Just like I wouldn't want a heads cranium hanging on the wall, but that's not super uncommon.


Exactly why is this unfortunate? They need to get rid of the toads anyway, and since they need to kill them, why not make good use of them when they're dead? In times of recycling and conservation, isn't it good that they can make a purse of it instead of such throwing it away? A purse might not be the best use (I have no idea what you can do with a dead cane toad...), but it's surely better than nothing.


(This goes without saying, but as always when dealing with killing animals, it should be done in a proper way, making sure it's not suffering. But that's really not the point here)
It's unfortunate for the toad. I'm not trying to negate the problems they have caused in Australia, or even state that something doesn't need to be done to stop the ecological disaster they've created. However, what we all need to remember is that they're just animals. Even if the toads are creating awful problems, it's not like they're consciously doing it. They don't set out every day asking themselves what trouble they can brew at that point; they're acting on instinct. When I did my research on the Cane Toad problem mitigation, I was horrified to see how many people handled the problem. On Youtube (at least 3 years ago, I'm not certain if they're still listed) several locals filmed videos of people abusing these toads: using them as target practice, mutilating the toads, torturing them. THAT is wrong. It is animal cruelty. If you're on this website, I'm assuming you love frogs. How would you like it if someone was torturing your frogs, regardless of the reason? I'm not saying that they shouldn't be exterminated, but it should be done with dignity, and with the least amount of pain to the toad.

I don't know how they are killed when they are used for purses. If it's through freezing or some other humane method, then I'm not necessarily opposed to it. It's weird, to me, for the face to be attached, for you to always be acquainted with the animal that was killed to provide you with your purse. But I have a leather purse so I acknowledge that sometimes it just comes with the territory.

I just wish people would remember that these are living creatures as well that have feelings. They're not acting malicious; they're acting out of instinct.