Cane toads to be exact.

Sections of the metropolitan media recently hopped onto a story the Leader reported several months ago about toads travelling from Queensland to the shire.

It seems the pests have been hitching the odd ride on trucks headed for Taren Point and Caringbah.

Sutherland Shire Council disposed of eight such visitors last year, and Mayor David Redmond appeared on morning television on Tuesday, almost quoting the ``alert but not alarmed'' anti-terrorism line to allay fears of a looming invasion.

He later said everyone should be ``aware and not alarmed about this''. ``We have found single toads, not colonies, and they are fairly mature specimens,'' he said.

``We are concerned about the Royal National Park and our wetlands and waterways.

``Our pest species officer has established communications with the transport operators in the Taren Point and Caringbah areas and liaises with the Department of Primary Industries and other pest control boards.

``We resolved at our last council meeting to request the Local Government and Shires Association to take this up as a concern and raise it with other councils across Sydney.

``We also want to remind residents to be vigilant and keep an eye out. If they spot a cane toad they should contact council or the National Parks and Wildlife Service.''