It's a case of mistaken identity.
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A native frog has caused confusion in Canberra and locals are mistaking it to be a cane toad.
There have been 17 reports of possible cane toad sightings, a week after the ACT government called for Canberrans to be on the lookout for the pests.
Last week, the government announced two cane toads were found in the capital. The two female toads were spotted by a Campbell resident in her backyard in September. The homeowner caught the animals and froze them.
But, all 17 reports since then have been found to be native frogs - the eastern banjo frog - not cane toads.
ACT Parks and Conservation director Daniel Iglesias said there had been no reports of sightings at Campbell but the majority of reports came from Gungahlin and south Tuggeranong. There had also been one report in Goulburn and another from Yass.
Canberrans sent pictures of the toad look-alike via email and social media, and have called.
"Cane toads and the native eastern banjo frog, or pobblebonk frog, are easily confused and we have had reports from the community of suspect cane toads which were actually the eastern banjo frog," Mr Iglesias said.
"The eastern banjo frog is a bit smaller than the cane toad although it is similar in size."
He suspected the Campbell event was a contained incident and the two cane toads had likely come to Canberra on a vehicle that had travelled from up north.
"We hope there are no more found but we appreciate the community’s vigilance."
Last month's incident was the second sighting of cane toads in the ACT in the past 12 months. The first incident was at a caravan park in O'Connor. A woman who had travelled from the Northern Territory spotted the toad coming out of her caravan.
Cane toads are toxic at all stages of their life cycle from eggs to tadpoles to adults. Their toxin is strong enough to kill most native animals that prey on frogs or toads and their eggs, such as birds, other frogs, reptiles and mammals, including some of our threatened species.
What if you think you see one?
- Do not kill it as it is most likely a native frog
- Exercise caution and take a close-up photograph
- Wearing rubber gloves and eye protection put into a well-ventilated container with 1cm of water
- Email EPSDInvasiveAnimals@act.gov.au or phone Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
For more information visit www.environment.act.gov.au/cane-toads
