Toad Media

MEDIA RELEASE

6 February 2009

TOADS TO INVADE PERTH WETLANDS

The Stop the Toad Foundation (STTF) is holding a ‘demonstration toad bust’ on Friday 13th February at Herdsman Lake to show what we will all be doing in the very near future if we don’t STOP THE TOAD FROM ENTERING W.A. NOW.

Herdsman Lake is just one of Perth’s wetlands which act as wildlife sanctuaries for many native frog, snake and bird species. This could all change, however, if the cane toad invades W.A.

“Now, more than ever, time is of the essence as cane toads are only 10kms from the border with Western Australia”, says Kim Hands, STTF Strategic Campaign Manager.

“If we don’t stop them now, they will soon be into Lake Argyle and Purnululu National Park. They will also reach the town of Kununurra, where produce from the Ord River Irrigation Area is trucked down to Perth; an easy ride for a toad!

“We need to stop them from entering W.A. whilst we still can, and stop them from reaching Perth and invading our beautiful wetlands”.

Ms Hands believes time is running out unless the West Australian Government acts now, while we can still say W.A. is cane toad free.

STTF have been involved in the fight to keep W.A. cane toad free for 5 years and have removed 130,000 toads from the frontline with the help of wildlife-friendly exclusion fences. An example of the extremely effective fencing will be erected around Herdsman Lake on Friday.

Graeme Sawyer, Lord Mayor of Darwin and co-founder of Frogwatch NT, will be at the demonstration to emphasise the importance of keeping W.A. cane toad free, unlike the NT. Roger Harris, Manager of the Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre and Craig Maher, President of the W.A. Herpetological Society, will also be present on the night to show the community what amazing native frogs and snakes can be found in our backyard- for now anyway.

Where: Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre, Cnr Selby & Flynn Streets, Wembley
When: Friday 13th February
Time: 7pm-9pm

For comment and further details:
Kim Hands (Strategic Campaign Manager, STTF)
0400 130 397

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