French run scared of marauding frogs

Californian bullfrogs in south-western France

source: John Lichfield
Independent April 3 2001 p13

Giant Californian bullfrogs are causing problems in south-western France. They came to the Gironde region illegally some two decades ago, and can eat small birds, as well as lizards, fish and frogs. Christophe Coic from Cistude, an environmental group, is among those concerned. He sees indigenous species as under threat from the bullfrogs, and Cistude is seeking to eradicate them. Meanwhile, the fisheries protection association of the Gironde once sought to attack bullfrogs in a pond, using electric poles, and found that the frogs defended themselves. Only one frog died after a two-hour battle.
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