Chinese toad in candlestick comes to South Africa

[December 20, 2012]  JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- It's a real life Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Animal rescue officials in South Africa say they found a toad from China hidden inside a porcelain candlestick. The Star newspaper of South Africa quoted animal expert Brett Glasby in Cape Town saying that workers had to break the candlestick to get the toad out. He said the toad, an Asian Common Toad, can slow its breathing and heart rate to survive times of drought, likely aiding it to survive the voyage. Workers fed the hungry toad worms and crickets after freeing it. The animal is not endangered. But because the toad is a possible invasive species for South Africa, workers will have to put the animal down. [Associated Press] Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.