Episode 44 - Hoo Gives A Hoot (Curtin University) Artwork

Making A Difference

Making A Difference is a podcast by The Junction, a collective of journalism schools at universities around Australia. The podcast is produced by student journalists, and episodes are hosted by a different university each month. Our public interest reporting reflects the depth and diversity of the issues that matter to a broad cross-section of society. You can listen on our website, https://junctionjournalism.com/, or subscribe to receive new episodes on your favourite podcast app.

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Making A Difference

Episode 44 - Hoo Gives A Hoot (Curtin University)

April 01, 2025

It's a story full of compromises, contradictions and unsuspecting victims. The use of rat and mice baits help to keep our home free of rodents. But they also pose a serious threat to native wildlife and ecosystems. A team of journalists at Curtin University investigates how precious owl species are becoming the victims of secondary poisoning from rodent control products. It's also a story of determination as communities battle the bureaucracy, manufacturers and public indifference to try to protect the owls.

Hosts: Madigan Landry and Kimberley Putland

Stories:

Taking the Bait - Reporter: Madigan Landry

The Decision Makers - Reporter: Yousuf Shameel

Owl Communities - Reporter: Kimberley Putland

Night Calling - Reporter: Camila Egusquiza Santa Cruz

Episode Executive Producers: Kayt Davies and Simon Brady

Investigative project:

Owls on Deathwatch

APVMA rodenticide review submissions:

https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20231218062421/https://www.apvma.gov.au/node/93291 (Part 1)

https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20231218062442/https://www.apvma.gov.au/node/93296 (Part 2)