Toad Media

MEDIA

29 July 2008

A NEW KIND OF ‘CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA’

Cane toads are now less than 25km from the WA border. The Stop the Toad Foundation (STTF) is planning on reducing the number of cane toads entering WA in two ways; by holding their annual Great Toad Muster from September 20th until October 18th near the NT/WA border and by leading a National Cane Toad Eradication Week coinciding with the last week of the Muster.

With the cane toad now occupying 1/3 of Australia, the fight to reclaim the Top End of our country has turned into a national endeavour. STTF’s Campaign Manager, Kim Hands, is calling all Australians to join in a National Cane Toad Eradication Week (NEW) in October this year. The NEW approach will unite the nation for the first time in the fight against cane toads; an approach that is long overdue.

“It is estimated that there are now 200 million cane toads in Australia. Imagine the possibilities if we all have a go for one week at removing the toad from habitats, households and communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland and northern NSW. We would surely make a huge dent in this number,” said Ms Hands.

“Cane toads need water to survive, so by the end of October and the dry season in northern Australia, they are very easy to find around any remaining water bodies. They can then be hand collected, put in a plastic bag, placed in the freezer and dropped off at collection points.

“STTF will report via the web and media, the daily number of toads removed from the Australian countryside during the National Eradication Week and keep a running tally.”

The National Cane Toad Eradication Week will operate with a timeline of one week commencing on the morning of October 11th, 2008 and running until the morning of October 19th, 2008.

If you would like to become involved in this NEW approach, there will be collection points and state coordinators in the Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW, but you should initially contact Kim at STTF on [email protected]. Further details can also be found on the STTF website www.stopthetoad.org.au

For comment:

Kim Hands (STTF Campaign Manager): 0400 130 397