[Greens-Media] Christine Milne - Turner Funding May Bring More
Devil Dollars
Kelly, Russell (Sen B. Brown)
Russell.Kelly at aph.gov.au
Mon Dec 15 15:57:20 EST 2008
Monday15th December 2008
Turner Funding May Bring More Devil Dollars: Milne
Greens Senator Christine Milne predicts there will be a growing
international effort to save the Tasmanian Devil from the Devil Facial
Tumour Disease (DFTD), following her successful bid to get one of the
world's wealthiest men to fund new research.
American billionaire Ted Turner has donated a US$50,000 research grant
from the Turner Endangered Species Fund after a personal approach from
Senator Milne, during a meeting of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
in Barcelona in October 2008.
"It is fantastic news and shows the international goodwill and concern
that exists for saving the Tasmanian Devil from extinction," Senator
Milne said.
"I hope this will translate into a cure and also encourage more
international philanthropists to take an interest in saving the
Tasmanian Devil."
Senator Milne said that convincing Ted Turner had been possible because
he had visited Tasmania and participated five times in the Sydney to
Hobart yacht race, and was also interested in environmental issues.
"We met at the World Conservation Union meeting in Barcelona and over a
couple of days I introduced him to the plight of the Tasmanian Devil and
asked for him to take an interest and help if he could."
"He had seen the Tasmanian Devil but hadn't heard about the disease. So
I worked in with the Menzies Centre and sent him a funding proposal from
them which convinced him to help."
Senator Milne said the funding couldn't have come at a better time with
news that a Tasmanian Devil (named Cedric by researchers), thought to be
immune to the disease, had now become infected.
'Cedric' became famous earlier this year after he survived a clinical
trial by UTAS researchers to infect him with DFTD. University of
Tasmania researchers now believe he has developed cancer.
"There is clearly a lot of goodwill globally for saving the Tasmania
Devil and we need to capitalise on it," Senator Milne said.
"Hopefully this grant will lead to more high profile donors so we can
get the best scientists in the world working together to save our iconic
Tassie Devil."
For more information phone Russell Kelly 0438376082 ends
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