News
Scientists can teach Crocodiles not to eat invasive toads: Dr. Ruchira Somaweera
Wild crocodiles can be trained to avoid eating invasive species — a breakthrough that offers real hope for conservation in a rapidly changing world, according to world-renowned reptile biologist Dr. Ruchira Somaweera, addressing a packed audience at the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) Monthly Lecture, sponsored by Nations Trust Bank (NTB), at the BMICH this week.
Presenting some of the first field-based evidence of learning-driven conservation in Australia, Dr. Somaweera revealed how crocodiles were successfully conditioned to reject toxic cane toads before the invasive species reached their habitats — dramatically improving survival rates.
“This is not theory anymore. This works in the wild,” Dr. Somaweera said.
“We can teach predators in advance not to eat something that will kill them.”
The method, known as conditioned taste aversion, involves exposing crocodiles to small, non-lethal toads that make them sick but allow them to survive. The experience teaches the animal to permanently associate the smell, taste and appearance of the toad with danger.
“When they encounter a toad again, they bite and release it,” he explained. “That single learning event can save their lives.”
Dr. Somaweera said the research — developed over nearly two decades — marks a shift away from traditional conservation approaches that rely on relocation or population control.
“This is creative conservation,” he told the audience. “It’s taking behavioural science and turning it into action.”
He described the challenges of applying the technique in the wild, including designing baiting systems that crocodiles would actually respond to.
“Nothing was straightforward,” he said. “If you put bait on land, everything eats it. If you put it in water, it sinks. Crocodiles also need movement or vibration to strike.”
Custom-built devices developed by his students eventually solved the problem, allowing researchers to train wild crocodiles in isolated waterholes ahead of cane toad invasions. Long-term studies showed that the learning persisted, enabling more crocodiles to survive and reproduce.
Beyond crocodiles, Dr. Somaweera’s lecture highlighted how invasive species, climate change and urbanisation are reshaping animal behaviour, often in unexpected ways.
By Ifham Nizam ✍️
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, at Temple Tress on the 17th of February
Dr. Georgieva, commended the Government’s efforts in stabilizing the country’s economy and in managing recent economic and natural shocks. She noted that Cyclone Ditwah had caused severe impacts, especially on economically vulnerable communities, underscoring the importance of targeted support and resilience-building measures.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the IMF’s continued support to Sri Lanka, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The PM further emphasized that real economic recovery and development must directly benefit the economically vulnerable groups and ensure inclusive growth, highlighting the need for Sri Lanka to attract quality and sustainable investments, particularly in the tourism sector.
The importance of reforming the education system to focus not only on knowledge acquisition but also on skills development and employability was also discussed
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the IMF Managing Director Andreas Bauer, Director, Asia and Pacific Department, Dr. Krishna Srinivasan Division Chief (Strategic Communications), Communications Department, Pierre Mejlak Resident Representative for Sri Lanka Dr. Martha Woldemichael, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Deputy Governor Dr. C. Amarasekara, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution forwarded by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to relocate the Deniyaya Base Hospital after constructing a new hospital with a capacity of 300 beds at an estimated cost of Rupees 6,000 million.
The Southern Provincial Department of Health has acquired a plot of land in Handford estate which is approximately 03 kilometres away from the town for this purpose.
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