Families turning cane toad busting into a summer tradition

LOCALS are being invited to take part in the annual Great Cane Toad Bust from January 17 to 26 to help humanely remove one of the country’s most damaging invasive species.

Families, schools, landholders and community groups regularly join the event, which is organised by the non-profit organisation Watergum Community.

This year, organisers hope to beat last year’s record of removing 199,231 cane toads in one week.

 

Watergum Community’s invasive species manager Emily Straton said community involvement remained one of the most powerful tools for combating the spread of cane toads.

“Research has shown that a single coordinated bust can remove up to 47 per cent of a local toad population in just one night,” she said.

“With enough people taking part, these numbers can scale to real, lasting ecological benefits.”

Since the release of roughly 100 cane toads in 1935 to control cane beetles, the species has become one of Australia’s most destructive invasive pests, with the population now exceeding 200 million. The toads were introduced to Byron Bay in 1965 and had spread south from Queensland into the Tweed region by 1978.

 

Cane toads reproduce far more rapidly than native amphibians—females can lay up to 70,000 eggs per year, more than 35 times the output of the native green tree frog. Their potent toxins pose a serious threat to native wildlife, pets, and both the mining and agricultural industries.

Participants are encouraged, where possible, to bring their own toad-busting kit. This should include a bucket with a lid, rubber or garden gloves, a torch, and a reach-extender or claw tool for collecting toads if they prefer not to handle them directly or find it difficult to bend down.

This year’s event will feature prizes, including awards for the biggest catch and best team name. For more information or to register, visit watergum.org/greatcanetoadbust