Warner Brothers to the Rescue

[Dean[AU]]

Warner Bros aid for devil
By DANNY ROSE
13apr04
WARNER Bros is in advanced talks with the State Government over a rescue package for Tasmania's virus-riddled devil population.

The US-based entertainment giant, which has earned millions from its Taz Devil cartoon character, is planning to join the effort to help save the Tasmanian Devil from a fast-spreading facial cancer.

The disease has already wiped out up to 80 per cent of Tasmania's devils in some areas, prompting the State Government to commit almost $2 million in research funding.

The State Government yesterday said talks with the company were continuing.

It is understood negotiations have reached an advanced but delicate stage and an announcement with more detail is expected this week.

A high-level meeting was organised in Los Angeles late last year, which involved Warner Bros executives and representatives of the State Government.

"The State Government has been in contact with Warner Bros to inform them of the situation," State Government spokesman Stewart Prins said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros spokeswoman Barbara Brogliatti told international news agency Reuters last week: "We are in discussions with the folks in Tasmania to see what we might be able to do to help," she said.

Her comments and the plight of the state's devils were broadcast to a global audience of tens of millions of Internet users over the weekend.

The article was featured as a news item on web pages of the major search engines and published on the global news website CNN.

It was The Mercury which first contacted Ms Brogliatti, in September last year, to alert the company to the devil disease.

At that time, Ms Brogliatti said the company would consider a call for support for two reasons.

"Firstly, as human beings about any endangered species and, secondly, it is our beloved Taz," she said.

Warner Bros created its Taz Devil Looney Tunes character in the 1940s.

He has gone on to become one of the world's most recognisable cartoons, renowned for his ravenous appetite and moving about like a buzz-saw.

His cartoon series -- and merchandising spin-offs including toys, mugs and clothing -- has also provided Tasmania with more than 50 years of global exposure as a distant, "jungled" and mysteriously island destination.

But Taz's Tasmanian namesake -- the real Tasmanian Devil -- has not fared so well.

Tasmania's native population of its unique devil has crashed over the past 10 years, caused by the disfiguring disease. It is suspected the devils' habit of biting each other as they compete for food is spreading the virus.

A fund has also been established to raise money for the fight -- the Tasmanian Devil Disease Community Appeal. Contributions are tax deductible and can be left at any branch of Westpac, B&E or Connect Credit Union throughout the state.

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