Ipswich City Council says no cane toad is safe this summer with the city set to target the pest through the inaugural Cane Toad Challenge.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor, Jim Madden said Council was partnering with environmental group Watergum Community to deliver the activity.
“Between 30 January and 8 February, we want people across Ipswich to pull on some gloves, grab some buckets, collect cane toads and submit the data on their catch to the Ipswich Cane Toad Challenge,” Cr Madden said.
“You will help tackle one of Australia’s most damaging invasive species, and by participating could also win a prize!”
Cr Madden said cane toads can live more than 10 years in the wild and become more toxic with age. An adult cane toad is capable of poisoning a medium sized dog in 15 minutes.
“Every cane toad removed counts. Each female can produce up to 35,000 eggs each time she breeds,” Cr Madden said.
Watergum Invasive Species Manager, Emily Straton said all life stages of cane toads would count during the Ipswich Cane Toad Challenge.
“Watergum is leading the way in breaking the cane toad breeding cycle with its world-first tadpole trap and lure system that makes it easy to responsibly catch hundreds to thousands of cane toad tadpoles before they grow up to cause damage to the environment, with this product now available online and in store,” Ms Straton said.
“For both cane toad adults and tadpoles, we recommend the RSPCA-approved humane euthanasia method of ‘stepped hypothermia’ or fridge and freezer method. This involves placing cane toads in the fridge for 24-48 hours which puts them in a state like hibernation, then placing them in the freezer for a further 24-48 hours for humane euthanasia.
“Watergum has cane toad collection points where these humanely frozen toads can be collected and put to good use in the production of cane toad tadpole lures.
“Watergum is encouraging Ipswich businesses, organisations and individuals to get involved, whether by organising cane toad busts or registering as a cane toad collection point.”
Residents are able to stay updated with the Online Ipswich Cane Toad Challenge page on Facebook at http://bit.ly/4qN3ZQ9.
