# Toad Day Out - a time to collect invasive toads live and unharmed, then have them humanely destroyed **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 29, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109 "2011-04-29T02:32:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![code\_grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/1 "2011-04-29T02:32:02Z")
from wikipedia [Toad Day Out - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toad_Day_Out) > [@](#): > > Toad Day Out is a pest control event which takes place in Queensland, Australia on the 29 March each year. Its focus is to reduce the population of the invasive species Cane Toad. The toads are caught live and unharmed.[1] The day was originally advocated by politician Shane Knuth.[1] > > Toads are captured and taken to be humanely destroyed with prizes awarded for children who find the heaviest toads, and schools which capture the most amount of toads (by weight). Before they are destroyed the toads are inspected, weighed and bagged.[2] Most end up being turned into fertilizer, some are used for research and a few have been stuffed by a taxidermist.[1] > > The cane toad has been a pest since it was introduced to Australia in 1935.[2] It was hoped the toad would control the spread of the cane beetle.[3] A national eradication program has been ruled out due to a lack of resources and technology.[3] Maybe the article should elaborate on the deeply caring and truly sharing measures taken to ensure the dignity of the humanely destroyed toads. I wonder what is the message being sent to the school kids involved, in the spirit of the not-so-accidental [Hidden curriculum - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_curriculum) . That a citizen is not supposed to kill a toad without a government license? Or that “humane” talk, no matter how utterly ridiculous given the situation, is a good way to screen out the stark reality of life which inevitably also includes death? ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/2 "2011-04-29T02:47:58Z")
> [@code\_grey](#): > > from wikipedia [Toad Day Out - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toad_Day_Out) > > Maybe the article should elaborate on the deeply caring and truly sharing measures taken to ensure the dignity of the humanely destroyed toads. > > I wonder what is the message being sent to the school kids involved, in the spirit of the not-so-accidental [Hidden curriculum - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_curriculum) . That a citizen is not supposed to kill a toad without a government license? Or that “humane” talk, no matter how utterly ridiculous given the situation, is a good way to screen out the stark reality of life which inevitably also includes death? Well, I think it’s more the idea that, if you’re going to kill something, you might as well make an effort to do it in a way that results in the least amount of suffering. I know; crazy concept. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![code\_grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/3 "2011-04-29T02:53:14Z")
here are more exciting details [http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2009/03/26/toxic\_toads\_targeted\_in\_australias\_toad\_day\_out/](http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2009/03/26/toxic_toads_targeted_in_australias_toad_day_out/) > [@](#): > > An organizers’ tip sheet gives advice on how to create toad traps – or “detention camps” – and recommends that participants “study detention techniques to ensure your own, as well as the toad’s safety – they must be alive and unharmed for interrogation.” > > Live toads brought to the collection points will be examined by experts to ensure they’re not harmless frogs and then killed, either by freezing or by being placed in plastic bags filled with carbon dioxide. > > Haydn Slattery, manager of the SITA waste management plant in Cairns, said he’s hoping to receive about 220 pounds (100 kilograms). > > The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has applauded the effort – with one caveat. > > “We’re only supportive of the plan if the toads are killed humanely – in other words, they’re not hit with baseball bats or cricket bats and golf clubs,” said spokesman Michael Beatty. It’s never too early to start learning those humane detention and interrogation techniques. Good that the kids got a start, if only a symbolic one. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/4 "2011-04-29T03:24:52Z")
> [@code\_grey](#): > > I wonder what is the message being sent to the school kids involved The message is that: - the toads are pests that should be exterminated; - everyone can help with the task; and - the toads should be killed (as \*\*Angel of the Lord \*\*notes) as humanely as possible. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/5 "2011-04-29T04:20:09Z")
Is a wet sprocket involved in any way? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/6 "2011-04-29T04:34:40Z")
I think that one of the messages is that short term brilliant solutions can become long term pains in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/7 "2011-04-29T08:44:43Z")
It’s just the Australian version of Crunchy Frog. They use only the finest baby toads, dew picked and flown from Queensland, cleansed in finest quality spring water, lightly killed, and then sealed in a succulent Swiss quintuple smooth treble cream milk chocolate envelope and lovingly frosted with glucose. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/8 "2011-04-30T00:53:18Z")
Be that as it may, it’s still a toad. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/9 "2011-04-30T01:15:31Z")
Simpson’s did it. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/10 "2011-04-30T20:16:47Z")
They do get large. [Dog-sized ‘Toadzilla’ captured in Australia](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-444843/Dog-sized-Toadzilla-captured-Australia.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/11 "2011-04-30T21:09:45Z")
Invasive species. Kill 'em fast, kill 'em slow. Just fucking get rid of them. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/12 "2011-04-30T23:33:18Z")
Reminds me of a conversation I witnessed between 2 Aussies reminiscing about toad games they had as children. You got your toads and put them on the side of a road. The one that made it farthest across before getting run over won. There was also toad cricket and toad golf. Apparently common past-times and ones that aren’t discouraged too much by adults. This is a country where a short drive in the outback can leave hordes of dead Kangaroos in your wake. Those things have no sense- I swear they jump straight at the vehicle. Cane toads are horrible pests that threaten the indigenous and increasingly rare native wildlife. Anything that keeps the numbers down is good, killing them humanely is a bonus. The kids are learning valuable lessons. 1. Destroying ecosystems is easy 2. Eradicating pests is hard work 3. Hi Opal 4. Your elders often leave you with shit to sort out after they die 5. There is a good reason why Australia has strict border control policies relating to plant and animal species 6. Seemingly well thought out plans can have unforeseen and devastating consequences ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/13 "2011-05-01T08:02:35Z")
According to Wiki, as soon as they’re done eating all the small reptiles, birds, invertebrates, mammals, insects, dog food, and household trash, they should starve to death. Do school children count as small mammals? ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/14 "2011-05-01T08:49:26Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > According to Wiki, as soon as they’re done eating all the small reptiles, birds, invertebrates, mammals, insects, dog food, and household trash, they should starve to death. > > Do school children count as small mammals? Maybe the toads will grow large enough at that point. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/15 "2011-05-01T11:19:09Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > This is a country where a short drive in the outback can leave hordes of dead Kangaroos in your wake. Those things have no sense- I swear they jump straight at the vehicle. Just a quick anecdote about the suicidal tendencies of 'roos. Back about 40 years ago I was driving with my mum up a highway dead-set through the centre of NSW. We’d been camping the night before and headed up the road just after daybreak. All was good, when we spotted a 'roo in the paddock beside the road. He was loping along, being a good kangaroo, so we slowed down the car to keep pace with him and to glory in his roo-ish magnificence! We kept this up for about 5 leisurely kilometres, when in the distance we spotted another car heading towards us. Our ‘roo was still doing the paces, burning off the calories and keeping us amused…but just before the other car passed us, the friggin’ moronic critter decided to BOUND ACROSS THE ROAD in front of both cars. :rolleyes: Yeah, lucky we were going slow 'cos otherwise Skippy would have been road-kill. As it was, he skidded into and under the car, but emerged the other side seemingly not-too-scathed. It’s been my one and only encounter with a 'roo on the roads, but the highway-margins tell another story…every km or so there’s another ‘crow-takeaway’ waiting to be consumed. But as for the cane-toads, eradication is a good thing. Promoting animal cruelty is NOT a good thing. **Toad-Day-Out** is a responsible environmental program that mobilises local communities to help rid their areas of noxious pests. Like **Land-Care** , it gives power back to rural groups to give them a sense of personal autonomy in bringing the bush back to life. And btw, **Cane-Toad cricket** is a bad thing…it totally fucks up yer’ bat! 😃 Quokka Soccer on the other hand…😉 ---
**Author:** ![ecseas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ecseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ecseas)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/16 "2011-05-01T11:35:53Z")
I live in Queensland. I’ve just finished 12 years of schooling and I’ve never heard of toad day out. Neither has any of my family, including 10 other school aged children. ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/17 "2011-05-02T02:23:12Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > The message is that: > > - the toads are pests that should be exterminated; > - everyone can help with the task; and > - the toads should be killed (as \*\*Angel of the Lord \*\*notes) as humanely as possible. And I suspect that they are also trying to preserve native frogs - this is why they want them alive to examine. Just a guess, but I think it’s right. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/18 "2011-05-02T02:35:10Z")
Is there a Gorilla Day Out, too? ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toad-day-out-a-time-to-collect-invasive-toads-live-and-unharmed-then-have-them-humanely-destroyed/580109/19 "2011-05-02T04:38:17Z")
> [@ecseas](#): > > I live in Queensland. I’ve just finished 12 years of schooling and I’ve never heard of toad day out. Neither has any of my family, including 10 other school aged children. I’ve been here over 10 years and I’ve never heard of it either. Still, I support what they’re doing, especially since cane toads are notoriously difficult to kill “properly”.