Ipswich Cane Toad Challenge
Ipswich City Council is delivering this community event in partnership with Watergum.
In 2027 the event will be held from Friday 29 January to Sunday 7 February.
How does it work?
Form a team with friends and family to collect cane toads from the Ipswich local environment.
Log your data online via the Watergum website.
Collect as many as you can around Ipswich between 29 January - 7 February and log your data to be in the running to win prizes!
Visit Watergum website
Please note the data collection link is open throughout the cane toad season and we encourage consistent cane toad removal throughout. Submissions for collections in Ipswich during the Challenge period will be counted towards the leaderboard.
Frequently asked questions
How do I collect cane toads?
It is recommended to have some basic equipment for collecting adult and metamorph cane toads.
- A bucket with a lid (preferably with air holes)
- Gloves
- Torch
- Pick up stick (optional)
Pick up cane toads and place gently into the bucket. Follow the stepped hypothermia process for humane disposal.
Cane toads generally emerge after dark. Parks and mown grassy areas, especially near waterbodies, can be good places to start. Please stay clear of the water’s edge.
Do tadpoles count in the Challenge?
Yes! We encourage participants to collect cane toads at every life stage, including eggs, tadpoles, metamorphs and adult toads.
The Watergum online data form contains a calculation tool to help you calculate how many tadpoles and eggs you have removed from the environment.
Australian-made Cane Toad Tadpole Traps and Lures are produced by Watergum. The pheromone-based lure attracts Cane Toad tadpoles into the trap. You can learn more about the traps and lures on Watergum’s website.
How do I dispose of cane toads?
Please use humane euthanasia methods to dispose of cane toads.
Stepped hypothermia is the preferred approach.
There are also Watergum cane toad drop-off points.
For more information see the Watergum website.
More information
Visit the Watergum website to learn about cane toad identification, humane disposal, and the environmental impacts of this invasive species.