Toad Media

MEDIA RELEASE

11 October 2006

THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

Winton and Longley head north to The Great Toad Muster

Tim Winton and Luc Longley are heading to Timber Creek in the Northern Territory this week to lend a hand at the Great Toad Muster. Author and basketball star are keen to be a part of the historic event which central to the Foundation’s strategy to prevent cane toads from entering W.A. (Winton is the Foundation’s patron and Longley is vice-chair of it’s committee of management.)

‘All the months of fundraising and bell-ringing and logistical planning have come down to this,’ said Winton. ‘This is the seasonal window we’ve been waiting for and it’s great to see it put into action. The results so far have been amazing, and I’m itching to get up there and get stuck in alongside the other vollies.’

Campaign manager Dennis Beros said today that the first fortnight of the six week operation has had thrilling support from the public, with more than eighty participants so far from all over Australia and some from overseas. ‘It’s been fantastic,’ said Beros. ‘Some nights we’ve been able to field teams of 40 people to pull toads out of the last waterbodies remaining before the onset of the Wet. The aim is to drive toads further east, away from the border, creating a buffer zone until scientists come up with a permanent solution for toad control. It’s hard and hot work, but it’s a buzz to know that you’re having a real impact.’

The Great Toad Muster is the first sustained and orchestrated effort at wiping toads out of strategic areas by teams living and working in the landscape for the duration. Since the operation got under way on September 23 almost 14,000 toads have been eradicated along the border country. In two nights alone (8th and 9th) an astonishing 5079 toads were captured from just 4 sites.

‘There might be hundreds of thousands of toads out there,’ said Luc Longley. ‘But it’s incredible what a determined and disciplined team can achieve. Our people have already put a real hole in the cane toad front and that’s inspirational.’

Interviews with Tim Winton or Luc Longley can be arranged at 0427 080 592. Balanced audio feed is available.

Tim’s dates: Oct 12 to 16th Luc’s dates: Oct 15 to 20th

Interviews may be able to be arranged in advance through 0427 080 592. Balanced audio feed can be offered. Or contact Dennis Beros, Campaign Manager, 0409 244 029

Stop The Toad Foundation (Inc) 2 Delhi St West Perth 6005 Ph: 9420 7266 Fax: 9420 7273