Toad News

November 2009

RESULTS: THE GREAT TOAD MUSTER 2009

Stop the Toad’s fourth annual Great Toad Muster was held from 12th September until 12th October 2009. It was the biggest Muster to date in terms of number of control sites covered, volunteer numbers and base-camp operations.

A total of 42,386 cane toads, as well as thousands of metamorphs and tadpoles were removed from the western frontline with your help! The Muster supported, on average, 35 volunteers per night for 30 nights, contributing to 1050 days of effort towards cane toad control. The Federal Government’s target this year was for a total of 1500 days of volunteer work across Australia. Thanks to our 120 volunteers from all over Australia and the world, Stop the Toad contributed to over 2/3 of this target alone!

Breakdown of results - Total 42,386
Auvergne cattle station 21,058 Legune cattle station 7,423
Amanbidji driveway 5,874 Keep River National Park 400
Newry cattle station 6,487 Lake Argyle 1143

LAKE ARGYLE
Toads were first found on the edges of Lake Argyle near Matilda creek in February 2009 by DEC. STTF included Lake Argyle as a study site for the Muster in order to determine how far the toads had moved in 7 months (from February to September).

Due to its importance, Lake Argyle was busted as often as possible during the
Muster (14 nights out of 29). In total, STTF covered 45.7kms of the shores on the Lake; 25.7kms on the northern side of Matilda creek and 20kms (up to Hicks creek) on the southern side. Over the 14 nights of control work, 1143 toads were hand collected around the shores of the Lake.

Toads collected were sexed, weighed and measured. Out of the toads collected from the lake, the general trend was 75% adult females, 23% adult males and 2% juveniles. Many of these toads were dissected and assessed for eggs and stomach contents. Nearly all females had eggs. A summary of the stomach contents for 74 of the Lake Argyle toads can be found below (Thanks Raf!).

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

My deepest gratitude goes to all those who volunteered their time and efforts at this year’s Muster. Special thanks must be made to Megan Donald, Michael Lohf,
Frank Longbottom, Mitch Farrell, Brendan McGill, Lucy Simnett and Jim Rasmussen, who all played vital roles in the logistics of this year’s Muster. Thankyou also to all those
volunteers who helped me before the Muster in planning, shopping, packing, writing induction manuals, keeping us fed (thanks Carline!) and being a great support. You all make my job worth it. Love Kim xxx

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