Cane toad community involvement

Getting involved with community efforts to actively participate in the collection of cane toads, helps in two ways. Removing even a single cane toad can make a difference, as it eliminates the risk of an unsuspecting animal consuming and potentially dying from it. Secondly, through a process of humane killing, these collected toads are used to make baits for a unique project aimed at conditioning native animals to develop an aversion to the taste of cane toads. Mitigating the Impacts of Cane Toads on Native Animals.

Here’s how you can get involved:

Toad musters

DBCA hosts an annual toad muster in Kununurra every February. Volunteers are needed to catch as many toads as possible, which are then used to create cane toad sausages-like baits. These baits play a vital role in conditioned taste aversion training to help protect the northern quoll population. Keep an eye on DBCA’s Facebook page or email canetoad@dbca.wa.gov.au to be notified of upcoming musters.

Backyard tips to make your home a ‘Cane Toad Free Zone’

Here are some tips to discourage cane toads and keep your pets safe in your own backyard.

Cover or bring in pet food at night as it attracts cane toads.
Remove standing water.
Remove rubbish and other debris so cane toads cannot shelter under it during the day.
Keep your outside lights off when not needed. Cane toads like night-time lighting because it attracts insects for them to eat.
Keep toads out by creating physical barriers. Cane toads are not good climbers and quite poor jumpers. Use a barrier made of a smooth material, like shade cloth, which is at least 50 cm high and secured into the ground to keep cane toads out of your yard.

Check you are identifying a cane toad correctly and use a humane way to dispose of them.

Socials

Cane toad management

Cane toad management aims to minimise native species decline using control measures and conditioned taste aversion techniques, as cane toads spread in WA.

DBCA staff member Mish with Nyikina Mangala Rangers

Cane toad surveillance and monitoring

DBCA, researchers, and land managers track cane toad movement in WA using various techniques to aid targeted management actions.

Identifying cane toads

Learn key differences between cane toads and native frogs in Western Australia to help with proper identification when reporting and to reduce the risk of accidentally killing native frogs in the mistaken belief that they are cane toads.

Cane toad management partnerships and collaborations

Successful cane toad management requires collaborative partnerships. Learn about DBCA’s collaborative partnerships bringing a unique combination of resources and expertise to the table to tackle cane toad management in Western Australia.

Cane toad management resources

Coordinating collective efforts provide WA’s native species the best chance of survival against cane toads. An initial guide for those looking to organise your own toad muster or looking for management advice.

Mitigating the impacts of cane toads on WA native animals

Techniques such as conditioned taste aversion are employed to teach native predators to avoid consuming cane toads, minimising species decline in WA as cane toads spread.

Cane toad community involvement