A heartfelt cry from the Kununurra Community to the Nation now fighting to stop the cane toad from crossing into WA since Sept. 2004. We will Stop the Cane Toads getting into WA! |
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Media Release September 18 2006 KTB Environment Award Finalists Friends of Kimberley Toad Busters Great news for the Kimberley Toad Busters just through – the cane toad busting volunteer group have been selected as one of five finalists for the Community Achievement (Group) for the Western Australian Environment Awards 2006. This selection recognises the hard work and achievements by the group of 800 plus volunteers from the Kimberley and Northern Territory in the past twelve months. KTB founder and Archaeologist, Lee Scott-Virtues is thrilled by the results saying it’s great that they’ve been recognised. “It’s a fantastic indictment of the community power this toad busting group has created and of their efforts,” she says. The winner will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Perth on November 17 2006. The Kimberley Toad Busters are all volunteers who until recently had depended on the generosity of local businesses and individuals for funding and equipment. A Federal grant received in June helped the KTB buy desperately needed equipment including traps which are made by students at TAFE who were keen to support the KTB efforts. Biodiversity have also contributed funds. |
Another cause for celebration among the volunteers was the success over the weekend of the two dingo pups sent up to the region last week for training purposes. Buffy and Kimba are learning how to sniff out cane toads in areas where they are difficult to find, especially during the day when they tend to burrow underground. Trainer Sarah Fyffe says her four and half month pup, Buffy, performed beyond her expectations. “Buffy had never seen a live toad before,” Sarah says, “but quickly learnt to recognise their sounds, scent and sight – differentiating them from the native frogs.” Sarah is in Kununurra for five weeks to train the dingo pups and is encouraging other KTB volunteers and community members with dogs to bring their own dogs in for training before she leaves. “It’s good for the dogs own safety,” Sarah says, “and they can be put you good use in the toad busting field.” Despite a live cane toad being found in Kununurra last week the KTB and their support groups, including the Department of Environment and Conservation, are optimistic that they can minimise the impact of a massive onslaught into the Kimberley. Lee says their biggest concern at the moment is keeping the cane toads away from the Ord River System. KTB have organised a 10 day strategy commencing on Thursday with the Australian volunteer group, CVA whose patron, Janet Holmes a Court is giving the KTB access to her property, Victoria River Station. “This next couple of weeks will determine how successful we are on knocking the major incursion along Victoria River down,” Lee says. “It will also determine how far down the Wickham they have gone.” Image: Buffy “the toad slayer” on the job. Contact Sandy Boulter at Friends of the Kimberley Toad Busters on 0427 508 582 and visit www.canetoads.com.au for in depth information on cane toad development or email Friends at Friendsktb@yahoogroups.com If everyone was a toad buster, the toads would be busted! |
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