Cane toads (Rhinella marina) were introduced to Australia in the mid-20th century in an ill-fated attempt to control agricultural pests. Since their introduction, they have had profound and detrimental impacts on the country’s ecosystems, spreading rapidly and creating ecological havoc as they outcompete and consume native species.
Efforts to mitigate the impact of cane toads in Australia involve various strategies, including community-driven initiatives, scientific research, and the development of biological control methods. Despite ongoing efforts, the battle against cane toad impacts remains a significant conservation challenge in Australia- one Community Landcare groups across the country are determined to meet head on.
WATERGUM’S GREAT CANE TOAD BUST (QLD)
The Community Landcare champions at Watergum Community Inc. launched the Great Cane Toad Bust in 2022, which has now become the largest community-driven cane toad control event in Australia.
The initiative serves as a comprehensive effort to educate and mobilise Australians in combating cane toads at every life stage. With an emphasis on the importance of humane control methods and community building, the event inspires Landcare groups and community members to create a collective front against the toad invasion to significant effect: during the 2022/2023 season, Watergum’s Cane Toad Bust resulted in the capture of 56,088 cane toads, contributing to a total removal of 95,542 toads over both years!
Having recently developed world-first Cane Toad Tadpole Trap and Lure technology, Watergum will be including tadpole trapping numbers for the first time in their upcoming Bust (scheduled for January 13-21, 2024). Recognising the critical role of controlling cane toads from the tadpole stage, Watergum has recently been putting an emphasis on educating the public on the need to break the breeding cycle. As each female cane toad can produce up to 35,000 eggs, tadpole trapping becomes a vital strategy to intercept and remove young cane toads before they mature and cause further damage.
ON THE FRONT LINES WITH CLARENCE LANDCARE (NSW)
Clarence Landcare is at the forefront of efforts to protect northern NSW from the invasive threat of cane toads. Operating as the southern frontline in cane toad biosecurity, since 2018 they have been conducting cane toad control (currently funded by North Coast Local Land Services), and recently ramped up their efforts after toad numbers increased significantly following the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires and subsequent wet seasons.
The impact of cane toads on local wildlife in the Clarence area has been profound, altering the balance of ecosystems by poisoning native predators and competing with other native species. To address this critical situation, Clarence Landcare partnered with Watergum on the inaugural Great Cane Toad Bust, and recently implemented the Cane Toad Community Education Project (supported by the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust). This initiative involves community engagement events, information sessions, and toad busts, aiming to educate and empower the community in managing cane toads.
While their efforts have made a significant impact in holding back the spread of cane toads into NSW, during the 2022/2023 season the Clarence Valley has been experiencing mass breeding events of toads, resulting in an alarming surge of eggs, tadpoles, and metamorphs in local dams and waterways. Anecdotal reports have already indicated a decline in red-belly black snakes and pythons on properties, with field workers discovering dead turtles in newly impacted areas. Reflecting the urgency of the issue, Clarence Landcare collected a staggering 8,272 cane toads in just one week, many of which were tadpoles and metamorphs from multiple breeding events. However, while the increase in toad numbers is troubling, as Clarence Landcare Project Officer Kelly McRae notes, “It’s easy to become disheartened by toad numbers, but time and time again, I hear from community members who tell me they see wildlife returning to their properties after consistent cane toad control.”
PROLIFIC PROTECTION BY BORDER RANGES RICHMOND VALLEY LANDCARE NETWORK (NSW)
The Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare Network (BRRVLN) is actively engaged in cane toad control and community education, covering an expansive biosecurity zone of 300,000 hectares in northern NSW.
Since 2018 , BRRVLN has received funding to assess and control the westward invasion of cane toads, organising community events and workshops, and conducting extensive night-time surveys to determine their spread. The knowledge gained from these surveys has informed control efforts, with BRRVLN now employing 14 field officers working as far west as Bonalbo, Tabulam, and the Clarence River to help manage and monitor cane toad impacts. The team have also been working closely with the neighbouring Clarence Landcare, resulting in an impressive Cane Toad Control Handbook to support landowners to stem the spread of toads.
With the 2022/2023 season seeing significant breeding events for cane toads in the area, the team has been working with landholders and actively trapping thousands of tadpoles on multiple properties along the western invasion frontline. Tamar Cohen, Project Officer at Border Ranges Richmond Valley Landcare Network, emphasises the critical role of continued community engagement in cane toad control, stating, “Landholders play a vital role in safeguarding their areas from cane toads and creating havens for our native species. Additionally, getting out at night and collecting toads provides an opportunity to witness all kinds of other cool things, including native frogs, nocturnal mammals, and the recent meteor shower!” She adds that while initial enthusiasm for cane toad control is high when they first enter an area, it tends to wane as the toads become more established. Tamar encourages ongoing commitment, stating, “It is highly satisfying and motivating to trap thousands of tadpoles in a trapping session. The enthusiasm of the community can make a significant difference in combating the cane toad invasion and protecting our unique biodiversity.”
RESOURCES
- Great Cane Toad Bust – Click Here
- How to Identify a Cane Toad– Click Here
- DPI – Online Reporting Form– Click Here
- FeralScan website– Click Here
- Clarence Landcare/BRRVLN Cane Toad Control Handbook– Click Here
- FrogID website– Click Here
- Clarence Landcare Facebook page– Click Here
- BRRVLN Facebook page – Click Here
- Watergum Facebook page – Click Here
The National Landcare Network is the peak representative body for community Landcare groups across Australia. We give a voice to Community Landcare across the country, with over 2000 active State and Territory Landcare Organisation members representing 6000+ individual Landcare groups and over 160,000 landcarers across Australia.