Can You Stomach Eating Invaders? New ABC Series Dishes Up a Tasty Solution to Australia’s Pest Problem
Get ready to rethink your feelings about some of Australia’s most infamous critters. A brand-new ABC series, “Eat the Invaders,” is set to premiere on January 7, 2025, at 8:30 pm, and it’s taking a refreshingly unique approach to tackling the nationwide problem of invasive species.
Turning Pests Into Haute Cuisine
Hosted by the ever-charismatic Tony Armstrong, the six-part series delves into the environmental havoc wreaked by familiar foes like cane toads, camels, carp, deer, rabbits, and feral cats.But “Eat the Invaders” doesn’t stop at simply highlighting the problem. It offers a bold, unconventional solution: eating them.
In each episode, renowned Mona artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele and head chef Vince Trim team up to transform these invasive animals into surprisingly delectable dishes. A panel of discerning taste testers, including Poh Ling Yeow, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, and ‘Nat’s What I Reckon’, will then judge the culinary creations.
The Science Behind the Solution
The series is grounded in scientific expertise, with University of Adelaide professors Andy Lowe and Phill Cassey providing insights into the devastating ecological and economic impact of invasive species.
“In Australia,the costliest invasive species are mammals,” explains Professor Lowe. “These include a range of game and feral ‘domesticated’ species – such as rabbits and hares, goats, camels, multiple species of deer, donkeys, water buffalo, horses, and pigs. “The damage these species cause to the surroundings and economy is immense, totalling hundreds of millions of dollars each year and leading to extinction of an increasing number of native species.”
Invasive species are a global threat, ranked as the fifth greatest issue facing the environment worldwide. But for Australia,the problem is even more dire,with invasive species ranking as the number one threat to the country’s unique biodiversity.
“Eat the Invaders” promises to be a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of a serious issue, challenging Australians to consider a radical, yet potentially effective, solution to a growing environmental crisis.
Don’t miss the premiere on January 7th!
