Rex captured Funnel Web spiders and was instrumental in having anti-venene in regional hospitals after a long campaign,which has saved hundreds of lives since. Rex runs the spider awareness programs today through the Lions club and has produced a booklet for residents on how to deal with spiders around the home.
Anyone who has a funnel web or discovers them near, or under the house etc..can contact Rex and Heather and they will come and remove the spider[s] for free.
Mnay times I have been at the Gilroy's home and opened the fridge freezer and been confronted with frozen funnel web spiders.
Rex Spider Awareness Programs
Killers are lurking in the barbie bricks.
Daily Mirror Wednesday 25/9/85 Early Edition
Sydney is becoming the home of the world's deadliest spider.
It is being introduced to the suburbs in loads of stone and this summer could be one of the worst on record for infestations, an expert claimed yesterday. The giant Blue Mountains funnel web, only recently classed as the most venemous anywhere, can kill a childs in 30 minutes, according to naturalist Rex Gilroy.
"It grows to almost twice the size of the previous No1 killer, the Sydney funnel web," he said. Mr Gilroy is co-ordinator of the Kellyville Lions Club Live Funnel Web Spider Appeal to gather as many spiders as possible for anti-venene. He already has 30 live Blue Mountains funnel webs in storage at his house for Macquarie University.
"I expect to be having up to 300 a month of both the Blue Mountains and Sydney varieties by summer," Mr Gilroy said. So far there has been only one recorded death from from a Blue Mountains funnel web bite-a 12 year old Blackheath girl.
"We really have been damn lucky" said Mr Gilroy. The giant killer spiders are being bought from remote mountain habitats to populated areas throughout Sydney in sandstone for rockeries and backyard barbecues, according to Mr Gilroy. He has been dealing with funnel webs for research and milking their venom for 20 years.
Spider pages up early 2008.
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