A new trap designed to lure cane toad tadpoles using a pheromone from adult toads is available to the Logan community.
The same organisation which has been partnering with council to manage toad busting nights, Watergum, has joined the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species (FAME).
Together, they invented the trap which lures new tadpoles and can potentially slow the spread of cane toad.
They say millions of cane toads can be prevented if the trap is used widely.
The new design, available at watergum.org, can be placed in waterways and, when full of cane toad tadpoles, be readily emptied and reused.
Cane toads were introduced to Australia in 1935 to combat sugarcane pests, but rapidly spread across Queensland with no natural predators to keep them in check.
They have a toxin which kills larger predators like snakes, quolls and goannas.
The new Watergum Cane Toad Tadpole Traps and Lures have the potential to turn the tide in this ongoing battle, able to capture hundreds of tadpoles at a time, and an entire clutch over a couple of days.
Originally developed by the University of Queensland, the Lure technology has been extensively tested for the last five years with the help of citizen scientists.
Funding from FAME has enabled the development of an injection-moulded trapping unit, specifically designed to work together with Watergum Cane Toad Tadpole Lures and resolve issues seen in homemade traps.
The products are available online and will soon be available in a variety of stores in areas impacted by cane toads, a full list of which will be available on the Watergum website.
The availability of tadpole trapping technology marks a new era in Australia’s fight against this invasive species.
“The products allow the user to catch and remove thousands of cane toad tadpoles from water bodies and prevent the further spread of cane toads on their properties,” Watergum President, Walter Mayr said.
“Community feedback and data has been incredibly important throughout the process of refining the methodology and we are very grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who have trialed the technology and given their feedback.
“The multitude of data and feedback we have received has enabled us to provide a simple and effective cane toad tadpole control solution that is suitable for the whole family.”
