The Great Toad Bust Queensland’s Biggest Cane Toad Hunt Begins

Cane toads remain a persistent menace in Queensland, and with their breeding season in full swing, the Great Cane Toad Bust is back.

This nationwide effort, running from January 18–26, 2025, invites communities to join the fight against this invasive species. Last year, more than 50,000 toads were removed, and organisers hope to surpass that figure this year.

These unwelcome amphibians, introduced in 1935 to combat sugarcane beetles, have wreaked havoc on native ecosystems. Cane toads can live up to 10 years, and a single female can lay an astonishing 30,000 eggs at once. Their toxic glands, lethal to predators, make them a dire threat to wildlife. Combined with their ability to consume almost anything, they’ve become one of the most destructive forces in Australia’s environment.

The Great Toad Bust encourages participants to trap and humanely euthanise toads, using methods outlined in free info packs from Watergum. Specialised traps can eliminate up to 47% of local populations. It’s crucial, however, to avoid mistaking native frogs, such as the Giant Frog (Cyclorana australis), for cane toads.

On the cultural front, Bob Katter has renewed his call for kids to become cane toad bounty hunters. He advocates for low-powered air rifles and 50-cent rewards per toad. Speaking on Tony Armstrong’s Eat the Invaders, Katter argued that this approach could engage communities while tackling the problem.

As part of the show, Katter dined at Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), known for its daring experiments with invasive species cuisine. Initially believing he was eating cane toad legs, Katter was served sugarcane pheasant (chicken) paired with invasive Indian myna bird. MONA’s executive chef, Vince Trim, clarified that scientists have ruled out cane toads as safe for consumption due to their toxicity.

MONA’s “Eat the Problem” philosophy stems from the 2019 release of Kirsha Kaechele’s deluxe food and art book, which champions creative solutions for addressing environmental issues. Instead of relying on heavily farmed meats, MONA’s menus highlight feral and abundant species like wallaby, deer, and rabbit. By transforming these invasive species into gourmet dishes, MONA aims to reduce their environmental impact while challenging conventional dining norms.

“The scale of the food operation at MONA is mammoth,” Trim explained. “Eat the Problem forced us to ask why we’re serving farmed meats that can negatively affect the environment while valuable resources like pests are being culled and left to waste.”

From wild-harvested venison to sea-urchin cocktails, the initiative turns ecological challenges into innovative dining experiences.

“Magpies eat cane toads,” Katter said, doubling down on his push for grassroots action to combat the pest.

With the breeding season upon us, the time to act is now. Whether you’re helping local wildlife thrive or simply keeping your farm’s dam clear, join the fight.

Register for the Great Cane Toad Bust at watergum.org/greatcanetoadbust and play your part in protecting Australia’s environment!