With the PM fuming about how international perceptions of Australia might be damaged by any faltering in the pace of industrial reform, it is perhaps timely to remind ourselves that for the majority of people on the planet we are in fact less an economic powerhouse, and more a wacky wildlife reserve.

Introducing, the cane toad that girdled the globe:

Pakistan. A huge cane toad the size of a small dog has been captured in the Australian tropical city of Darwin, startling environmentalists who are fighting to stop the poisonous reptiles from spread [sic] across the country. — Daily Times

Canada. An environmental group dedicated to wiping out a toxic toad species that has killed countless Australian animals said Tuesday it has captured a “monster” specimen the size of a small dog. — Toronto Star

USA. Look into the eyes of this giant cane toad and you will see… future fertilizer. Unfortunately, that’s the fate of this big guy after the Australian environmental group Frogwatch snagged him outside the city of Darwin. — Orlando Sentinel

UK. A cane toad the size of a small dog has been killed by self-styled vigilantes in Darwin, raising fears over the poisonous animal’s rapid spread across a swath of northern Australia. — The Times

South Africa. A “monster” cane toad the size of a small dog has been captured by an environmental group dedicated to wiping out the toxic amphibian, which has killed countless animals since being introduced to Australia in the 1930s. — Mail & Guardian

Romania. Australians marvelled Tuesday at a toad the size of a cat that was caught in the far-north city of Darwin. — Playfuls.com