China to provide solution to Australia's cane toad problem... by eating them

With Aussies apparently too squeamish to stamp out invasive cane toad infestations by eating their problem away, China has quite literally stepped up to the plate.

Cane toads have been a problem in Australia for years, where their rapid growth has been destroying both native species and the environment since their introduction. Professor Phillip Hayward's innovative solution to eradicating the toads is to regulate, export and ultimately eat them.

It would certainly be in Australia's economic interest to do this, not only because frog numbers worldwide are dwindling but also because of the creature's image problem Down Under (unsavory, unsurprisingly). 

China, hitherto unaware that such a large supply market of the pests existed, has greeted the idea with gusto.

One of the least squeamish nations when it comes to sourcing meat from less conventional animals, it seems China would have no problem serving up these bland, poisonous creatures in stir fries and more. 

This might not, however, be as gross an idea as it sounds, Professor Hayward admits the toad meat "picks up marinade well," is healthy and provides a good source of protein and omega-3.

So, providing Australia can make cane toads a tangible export product, China seems set to hop, leap and jump into this new market.