Accountant left spreadsheets to make 531 taxidermied cane toads in Darwin
A former Melbourne accountant quit corporate life to become a cane toad taxidermist in Darwin.
Mithram Selvaratnam worked as an accountant in Melbourne after immigrating from Malaysia 16 years ago. Mithram Selvaratnam felt trapped in corporate life and moved to Darwin, where his aunt suggested he take over a souvenir stall at Mindil Markets in 2017.
When his toad supplier retired, he learned taxidermy in a two-day bootcamp in Queensland. Mithram Selvaratnam now guts, tans, stuffs and paints dead cane toads, keeping 531 in his freezers.
Community toad-busts at the Territory Wildlife Park supply hundreds of dead toads at once. By Christmas, some will wear Santa hats.
He also makes crocodile skull souvenirs from Territory farms.
- Accountant to taxidermist in 2017
- Career switch
- Malaysia, arrived 16 years ago
- Origin
- 531 dead cane toads
- Toads in freezers
- Two-day bootcamp in Townsville
- Training
Why it mattersHe turned Territory wildlife pests into a profitable business, showing how waste can become a viable, thriving venture.
AustraliaThe business boosts Darwin tourism while helping manage cane toad populations, turning an invasive pest problem into a unique Australian souvenir export.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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