Toad Media

MEDIA

21 November 2008

ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FENCE

The fight to keep WA cane toad free has had a boost from the Federal Government. Under the Caring for Our Country program, the Stop the Toad Foundation (STTF) has been granted $150,000 to continue its innovative barrier fencing strategy.

"This new funding really vindicates the work of volunteers and staff," said Campaign Manager Kim Hands.

This year's Great Toad Muster demonstrated that temporary fences around manmade and natural water systems is an exciting and efficient new tool in the manual control of cane toads. It was featured widely in national media and even made news on the Al Jazeera TV network.

"It's a national issue," said Kim Hands. "The new strategy is a national story and it's great that it now has national support."

Exclusion fences accounted for almost 70,000 cane toads in a month at STTF's third annual Muster. The knee-high wildlife-friendly barriers have made toad control cheaper, more efficient and safer. After initial scepticism, other WA cane toad groups are now looking to fencing programs of their own.

STTF has long believed that its fencing model has the potential to stop the toad from getting into Western Australia. With this new Federal funding it plans to expand the project across northern Australia in 2009. It will also continue its National Cane Toad Eradication Week, an approach that will unite the nation for the first time against the toad.

"We've always said we're all in this together," Kim Hands said. "We believe in a united, integrated approach and we always work that way.’’

For comment:
Kim Hands (STTF Campaign Manager): 0400 130 397