! FERAL ANIMALS PHOTO TAKEN IN VICTORIA of TASMANIA how YOU can help control the State’s worst pest animal species The Threatened Species Network is a community-based program of the Australian Government and WWF-Australia. The author and the Threatened Published in March 2008 by Author/editor: Stephanie Pfennigwerth, Species Network gratefully WWF-Australia. Melampus Media acknowledge the expert assistance World Wide Fund for Nature Australia Introduction: Peter McGlone, of Geoff Allen, Glenn Atkinson, ABN 57 001 594 074 Threatened Species Stewart Blackhall, Vic Causby, Network, Copyright © 2008 WWF-Australia Wayne Dick, John Diggle, Michael WWF-Australia Driessen, Rob Freeman, Sarah All rights reserved. Any reproduction Designer: Kelly Eijdenberg, Graham, Glenn Graves, Graham Hall, in full or in part of this publication In Graphic Detail Andrew Hingston, Jean Jackson, must mention the title and credit Printed by: Printing Authority Steve Locke, Matthew Marrison, the abovementioned publisher as the of Tasmania Rodney Milner, Nick Mooney, copyright owner. Cover image: Fox © Rohan Clarke Sue Robinson, Grant Scurr, Keith The opinions expressed in this publication ISBN: 1921031 25 5 Springer, Colin Spry, Mick Statham, are those of the authors and do not Sarah Tassell, Chris Tidemann, Chris necessarily reflect the views of WWF Wisniewski, Eric Woehler and Cathy or the Australian Government. Young in the preparation of this publication. The Threatened Species Network For copies contact: is a community-based program of Threatened Species the Australian Government and Network WWF-Australia. This publication WWF-Australia has been funded by the Threatened 191-193 Liverpool St Species Network, NRM South and Hobart TAS 7000 the Fox Eradication Branch of the P: 03 6234 3552 Tasmanian Department of Primary E: [email protected] Industries and Water. URL: www.wwf.org.au/tsn The Threatened Species Network is a community-based program of the Australian Government and WWF-Australia. The purpose of Feral Animals WHAT IS A ‘FERAL ANIMAL’? Introduction of Tasmania is to improve the In the Tasmanian context, an community’s knowledge and introduced animal is any animal When Captain James Cook understanding of feral animals, that is not native to Tasmania. released two pigs on Bruny and to encourage people to Animals native to mainland Island in 1777, it was perhaps become involved in reporting Australia, and which do not the first in a long list of animal and managing them. Greater naturally occur in Tasmania, are introductions into Tasmania. community awareness and also considered to be introduced Although Cook’s pigs died, reporting will result in improved animals. Such animals may arrive many other introduced species management decisions and in Tasmania accidentally, or be continue to thrive and, in some better outcomes for Tasmania’s deliberately introduced for a cases, threaten Tasmania’s unique native fauna and flora, as well variety of reasons, including biodiversity. The confirmed as for agriculture and other sport and recreation, primary arrival of the European red fox industries. industry, biological control, and in recent years signals one of companionship (pets). the greatest environmental A feral animal is any introduced challenges faced by the animal which has become Tasmanian community. ! IN SOME waterways IN established in the wild. Feral MAINLAND AUSTRALIA, CARP animals are able to reproduce and CAN COMPRISE MORE THAN maintain populations, or have 90% OF THE TOtal FISH the potential to do so without BIOmass. significant human support. IMPACTS OF FERAL ANIMALS The social impacts of feral IF PERMITTED, THE ! Feral animals are one of the animals include effects on IMPOrtatiON OF NEW, biggest threats to biodiversity in ‘WILDER’ POlecat human health, and damage BLOODLINES INTO THE Tasmania. They threaten native of infrastructure or culturally DOMESTIC FERRET animals and plants through important sites. The presence of BREEDING POpulatiON predation, competition for food feral animals in the Tasmanian may result IN THE and habitat, habitat destruction, Wilderness World Heritage DEVELOPMENT OF A LARGER, MORE aggressive spreading weeds and diseases, Area and the Macquarie Island ANIMAL EVEN BETTER and hybridising or cross-breeding World Heritage Area not only SUITED TO survival IN with them, compromising their detracts from the internationally AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS. genetic integrity. significant natural values of Feral animals also seriously affect these areas, but also diminishes agriculture by damaging crops, their social and cultural value to preying on livestock, competing humans as ‘pristine wilderness’. for pasture or degrading the Other impacts are easier pest animal species are land by causing soil erosion, to quantify. According to conservatively estimated to water turbidity and the spread the Australian Pest Animal have impacts valued at over of weeds. Strategy, 11 of Australia’s major $720 million annually. 1 PRIORITISING FERAL SPECIES agreed role for the community the help of a vigilant community In recent years there has in each case. This publication in early detection is invaluable. been growing concern in provides information on species Some species, such as the Tasmania about the impacts of in this priority list. feral cat and rabbit, may have feral animals, and a growing The priority feral animals are a significant impact on the community effort to help control those which are thought to have environment but are widespread, them. We have consulted with the greatest impact on native numerous and impossible to many of Tasmania’s experts in species and ecosystems if they eradicate from Tasmania due to feral animal management to are not managed effectively. The social, financial or technological create a priority list of terrestrial most cost-effective approaches constraints. However, they can and freshwater feral animal to feral animal management be eradicated from off-shore species for Tasmania, and an are prevention and early islands, and efforts can be made intervention. Animals that are to limit or exclude them around currently not found in Tasmania, areas of high conservation ! but have the potential to cause significance on Tasmania’s A SINGLE FERAL cat may KILL significant ecological damage mainland, such as breeding areas MORE THAN 20,000 INDIVIDUAL if they establish, have been or sites containing threatened vertebrates IN A 7-YEAR LIFETIME. included. Because eradication is plant species. The bumblebee, achievable when populations are which is currently restricted to small and are discovered early, Tasmania, has also been included because the community can play a crucial role in preventing its spread to the rest of Australia. The feral status of animals such as brown trout and fallow deer may be disputed. To some people these animals are a valued sporting resource ! or are visually appealing. To Climate matching others, they are the cause of STUDIES indicate significant environmental and that, IF INTRODUCED, FERAL PIGS may THRIVE agricultural damage. They are IN LARGE areas OF included because experts and the CENTRAL AND eastern 1 McLeod, R., 2004. Counting the Cost: Tasmanian Government agree Tasmania. THEY ARE Impact of Invasive Animals. Canberra: ALREADY established that there are places from which Cooperative Research Centre for Pest ON FLINDERS ISLAND. they should be excluded. Close Animal Control. Quoted in Natural monitoring by an informed and Resource Management Ministerial Council, watchful community can help 2007. Australian Pest Animal Strategy – A National Strategy for the Management of ensure these animals do not Vertebrate Pest Animals in Australia. Canberra: extend their current range. Commonwealth of Australia: 1. botanists, forestry workers and CATEGORIES OF FERAL ANIMALS How to park rangers – should keep a The animals in this publication copy on hand. are divided into three categories use this and are colour-coded in order of publication INFORMATION ON EACH CARD priority. The front of each card or species Highest priority: unwanted profile includes pictures and a in the wild and to be Feral Animals of Tasmania is description to help you identify designed to help you identify, ! eradicated from Tasmania, the species. The back of the e.g. fox, gambusia, myna. report and take direct action card provides more detailed to monitor and manage feral information covering the history Second priority: unwanted animals. Anyone who spends and current distribution of the in the wild but can only time in the bush or on the species, its known impacts, ! be feasibly/efficiently water – Landcare volunteers, current management and sources eradicated or controlled farmers, landowners, recreational of further information. A grey from specific areas around fishers, guides, recreational coloured section advises what special values, e.g. cat, shooters, professional pest action you can take, including rabbit. controllers, field naturalists, phone numbers for reporting Third priority: wanted bird watchers, bushwalkers, sightings, as well as relevant in the wild but within environmental consultants, legal information. ! defined managed areas, e.g. deer, trout. The management response MAKING A REPORT OF • If possible, mark the site with is different for each priority A FERAL ANIMAL bright tape to help identify category, so take careful note of If you spot a feral animal, it is the site if you and/or another an animal’s category to see what important to positively identify it. person need to return to it. you can do to