A national initiative to remove cane toads from the environment
January 23 – January 29 2023
What is the Great Cane Toad Bust?
The Great Cane Toad Bust is a national incentive to encourage community cane toad control activities!
A mere 102 cane toads were brought to Queensland in 1935. Over the last 86 years cane toads and bred, and spread, and now their numbers exceed 2 billion!
Did you know that each female cane toad can produce up to 70,000 babies a year?!
Through toad busting activities we can remove fertile adults from the environment before they have an opportunity to breed!
Toad busting is a highly effective form of cane toad control and can have a big impact on local populations.
We need Australians to step up and work together to impact cane toads on a national scale. The more people who get involved, the greater our impact will be!
Let’s work together to impact cane toads!
The Great Cane Toad Bust goes unfunded this year but you can help our initiative and help us expand our fridge and freezer network by donating to our cause!
Everything you need to compete!
2022 Results
Cane toads removed Jan 24-30 2022
2023 Results
Cane toads removed Jan 23-29 2023
How can you get involved?
- Team up with your family, friends and neighbours
Establish a regular toad busting group in your area. Meet like minded people and have some fun!
- Tackle your own property and local area
Start toad busting on your property and in your local streets, work together with neighbours to maximise impacts!
- Utilise your local drop-off station
Use the map to see if you have a drop-off point near you
Planning a Toad Busting Session
Before you start toad busting, make sure you all read this guide to help you tell the difference between cane toads and native frogs.
The main goal of The Great Cane Toad Bust is to protect and reclaim habitat for native species, especially frogs! So it’s important that your ID skills are up to scratch.
The guide will help you to learn the difference between frogs and cane toads at all life stages.
Remember, if you are unsure, LEAVE IT ALONE!
Humane Euthanasia
Cane toads deserve to be treated kindly, It’s our fault they’re here!
Watergum encourages everyone to euthanise cane toads using the cooling and freezing method.
Refrigerate toads for up to 24 hours before freezing them for a minimum of 24 hours. This ensures they slip peacefully into a coma, meaning they suffer no pain when they are later frozen. Toads that are frozen straight away experience great pain as ice crystals form in their veins.
Safety Reminders
Please stay safe while you are conducting your cane toad control efforts!
Cane toads are toxic. Most of the toxin is in their paratoid glads behind their eyes, and they may excrete this when they feel threatened.
Toxin is also present in their skin. If you pick up cane toads with your bare hands, your nerves will be affected by the toxin. Your hands will start to tingle. This is not good, please don’t do it!
Please also be aware of snakes, traffic and other potential threats. Wear proper shoes, long pants and hi-vis if you are out on the streets. Stay safe!