Review of the management of feral animals and their impact on ...

distribution <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> pigs reported in Section 3. Of those who indicated <strong>feral</strong> pigs to be
a problem, only 7% indicated that <strong>the</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>impact</strong> was high. The majority
reported low (33%) to moderate (18%) levels <strong>of</strong> <strong>impact</strong> only. A significant number
(36%) <strong>of</strong> people indicated that <strong>the</strong> <strong>feral</strong> pig problem was worsening in <strong>the</strong>ir area with
most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> remainder reporting <strong>the</strong> situation static (58%). Only two l<strong>and</strong> managers
reported reductions in <strong>feral</strong> pig <strong>impact</strong>s on biodiversity in recent times. Feral pigs
were frequently reported as having a wide range <strong>of</strong> <strong>impact</strong>s. Habitat destruction
(52%) was <strong>the</strong> most common, followed by resource competition (43%), spread <strong>of</strong>
disease (36%), predation (33) <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> displacement <strong>of</strong> native species (29%).
Wild dogs
The majority <strong>of</strong> people survey believed that wild dogs were having an <strong>impact</strong> on
biodiversity. These people were relatively evenly divided over <strong>the</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> <strong>impact</strong> <strong>the</strong>
dogs were having with 23% believing <strong>the</strong> <strong>impact</strong> was high, 31% reporting <strong>the</strong> <strong>impact</strong>s
be moderate <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> same indicating only low <strong>impact</strong> levels. Only one respondent
indicated that <strong>the</strong> situation was improving. 53% <strong>of</strong> people reported <strong>the</strong> <strong>impact</strong> level as
remaining constant, whilst 44% believed <strong>the</strong> <strong>impact</strong> wild dogs were having on
biodiversity were getting worse. As expected, predation <strong>of</strong> natives was <strong>the</strong> most
frequently reported <strong>impact</strong> (76%), however displacement <strong>of</strong> natives (29%), resource
competition (19%) <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> disease (17%) were also frequently reported. It
should be noted that <strong>the</strong> definition for wild dogs included dingoes <strong>and</strong> crossbreeds.
House mouse
A surprisingly high number (92%) <strong>of</strong> people reported <strong>the</strong> house mouse to be having
an <strong>impact</strong> on biodiversity in <strong>the</strong>ir area. Most believed that <strong>the</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> mouse <strong>impact</strong>s
was low (58%); with only a few reporting high damage levels to <strong>the</strong> environment
(10%). House mice were described as competing with native species for resources
(31%), spreading disease (33%) <strong>and</strong> displacing native species (33%). Habitat
destruction was only indicated by 17% <strong>of</strong> those in areas where mice had an <strong>impact</strong>.
83% <strong>of</strong> people believed that <strong>the</strong> scale <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> problem was quite stable, whilst 14%
reported it to be getting worse.
Indian mynah
The majority <strong>of</strong> respondents indicated that Indian mynahs were not a biodiversity
issue in <strong>the</strong>ir area. Only 14% <strong>of</strong> respondents reported Indian mynahs as a low (8%) to
medium (6%) level threat to biodiversity. The <strong>impact</strong>s reported involved resource
competition with, <strong>and</strong> displacement <strong>of</strong> native species. Most believed that <strong>the</strong> scale <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> problem was stable, but two respondents thought that it was becoming worse.
Common starling
No one surveyed believed that starlings were having a high <strong>impact</strong> on Rangel<strong>and</strong>
biodiversity; however 21% believed <strong>the</strong>y had ei<strong>the</strong>r a low or moderate effect. The
majority <strong>of</strong> people also believed that <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> problem was relatively stable,
although a few believed <strong>the</strong> <strong>impact</strong>s had worsened. Resource competition <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>
displacement <strong>of</strong> native species were believed to be <strong>the</strong> greatest <strong>impact</strong>s <strong>the</strong> starlings
were having on biodiversity.
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