By Alistair Gray
Picture supplied by Simon Middap

Some of the hardworking Pacific Harbour Golf Estate Toad Busting Team.
All the rain and early summer warmth make for ideal breeding conditions for cane toads. You have probably seen the tiny toads in your garden and wondered what to do about them. I will tell you shortly.
Cane toads are a significant problem on Bribie and large parts of Australia, with an estimated population of 200 million according to Watergum's website. Watergum is a not-for-profit organisation that helps the community engage in authentic on-groundwork to restore, maintain and protect the natural environment. Watergum coordinates and promotes the annual Cane Toad Challenge, which brings local communities together to fight the toad plague and provide education. The next major Toad Bust runs from Saturday January 18 to Sunday January 26, 2025. You can help.
Toads are toxic at every stage of their life and wreak havoc, destroying native wildlife such as frogs, snakes and small mammals. According to Watergum, studies have shown that toads have been responsible for significant drops in populations of quoll, freshwater crocodiles, goannas and monitors. With thousands of our pets, dogs and cats also dying each year from cane toad poisoning. Female toads lay between 8000 and 35,000 eggs in a breeding season and lay two clutches a year, with exponential growth. During the last Toad Busting initiative in post code 4507, more than 15,000 adult toads and a massive 145,000 toadpoles (cane toad tadpoles) were captured and euthanised, showing the enormity of our local problem. The environmental challenge is gigantic and has no clear solution, despite fencing and many community-led eradication programs like Toad Busters. It is easy to see why we should all pitch in and do our bit to help.
On Bribie Island, in conjunction with BIEPA (The Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association Inc.), there are three very active Toad Buster Groups – Bibimulya Toad Busters who work the Bibimulya Wetlands, Woorim – Freshwater Creek and Pacific Harbour Toad Busters who focus on the golf course area.
Toad activity is in full swing in the watercourses around Bribie, producing lots of eggs, toadpoles and toadlets. The local groups meet monthly, though it is more about giving time when possible. You can form your local toad busting group and register to be part of the Great Toad Bust by visiting the Watergum.org website. However, I suggest you contact one of the local groups with the expertise that can provide the training and the know-how to euthanise the toads humanely. You will also benefit by making new friends and be afforded the opportunity to join BIEPA and be part of something special.
Toad Busting Tips – How to collect toads/toadpoles/toad Eggs
Toad handling is still the same, whether in your garden or with dedicated toad buster experts. However, if you collect on a golf course, you need permission to be on the course.
You don't need to touch the toad. Use a bucket with a lid or a sealable container.
Don't lift the toad to face level. The toads don't spit, but they can wee.
Use a fishing net – to scoop up or gloves to pick it up; a plastic bag over your hand like a glove to catch the toad, then pull the bag back over your hand. Or use tongs, a rubbish pick-up stick or place an empty pot or box over the toad and then slide something underneath to capture it. Put the toad into a bag or container for the freezer.
Carefully identify if it is a cane toad or a frog. Frogs are precious and need to be protected. Leave it if you are unsure if it's a toad or a frog.
For more information, contact Simon Middap – Pacific Harbour Golf Estate Toad Busters on 0419677101, email simonmiddap@bigpond.com), or visit the BIEPA website www.biepa.online/projects/toad-busters
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