Scientists says bludgeoning the invasive pests with a golf club or running them over with a car isn't just cruel — it's also potentially dangerous.

The cool-and-freeze method involves placing cane toads in a fridge for 24 hours, which puts them in a state of torpor, before transferring them to the freezer to finish them off.

She said this was more humane than other methods of killing cane toads, such as bashing them with cricket bats or crushing them under cars.

“Our learning and our knowledge have evolved since the days of cane toad golf,” Ms Tomsett said.

“It’s important to treat all animals humanely. Cane toads have to be removed, and it’s not their fault they’re here.”