Terminate-a-Toad: judgement day

Burdekin Shire Council’s Environment and Health Manager Beth Whitworth said residents were encouraged to head outdoors this Saturday night, April 5, and catch as many cane toads they could get their hands on.

“On Sunday from 9am until 11.30am, residents can bring their haul down to Plantation Park, Ayr, for the official weigh-in and handover,” she said.

“There will be a free family barbecue and refreshments for participants, as well as prizes for the biggest catch and the largest single toad.

“It’ll be a great family day out as we have again combined our event with the Rotary Club of Ayr 2014 Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race.”

Mrs Whitworth said Toad Day Out was a great opportunity for Burdekin families to get out and do something positive for the environment.

“Anything that we can do to reduce the cane toad population will help to protect our native wildlife,” she said.

“There are a few rules for those taking up the challenge of catching toads this weekend such as making sure the toads are at least 5cm in length, caught in the 24 hours before weigh-in and they must be alive and unharmed when brought into the collection point.

“Council staff will humanely dispose of the catch.”

Mrs Whitworth said experts also would check the catch to ensure no native frogs were brought in by mistake.

Tips for catching toads: check any low-lying wet areas; use cat or dog food as bait; set up a spotlight in the backyard to draw the toads out of hiding; seta trap by putting a tarp or sheet underneath the light and wrap up your catch; best time for collecting toads is after sunset until about 11pm; if you are collecting during the day, look in damp, dark hiding places; don’t grab the toads by the head as they are more likely to release poison. The poison is only dangerous if you swallow it; keep them away from your eyes at all times; once you are finished collecting toads, wash your hands even if you have been wearing gloves; children should be supervised by an adult.