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

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community consultation <strong>and</strong> agreement. All l<strong>and</strong> holders <strong>and</strong> managers need to work toge<strong>the</strong>r for maximum benefits <strong>and</strong> minimum costs. Where a control operation is limited to one property, <strong>the</strong> <strong>animals</strong> that are killed may be replaced by newcomers from surrounding properties, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> problems may worsen. Joe Benshemesh (pers. comm.) suggests that when one experienced fox is killed, younger foxes moving in may establish smaller territories, leading to a higher fox density. • What are <strong>the</strong> objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>management</strong> plan? It is very important that clear objectives are set down <strong>and</strong> agreed upon by all those involved in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plan. All too <strong>of</strong>ten proper objectives are not set. Braysher (1993) summed up <strong>the</strong> situation in a guidebook to managing <strong>feral</strong> <strong>animals</strong>: ‘All too <strong>of</strong>ten, sporadic control is <strong>the</strong> norm, whe<strong>the</strong>r to protect conservation or production values. There is usually no clear objective for <strong>the</strong> control o<strong>the</strong>r than to kill pests, <strong>and</strong> pest numbers rapidly return to pre-control levels until <strong>the</strong> next hit. Considerable resources can be wasted in this strategy.’ The objectives should be measurable <strong>and</strong> include time-frames where relevant. They should outline <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> control desired based upon <strong>the</strong> conservation needs in <strong>the</strong> area being considered, including special consideration <strong>of</strong> endangered species or ecosystems being <strong>impact</strong>ed by <strong>the</strong> <strong>feral</strong> animal activities. Will <strong>the</strong> plan aim for eradication, containment or suppression? The goals should be set in terms <strong>of</strong> biodiversity benefits, not numbers <strong>of</strong> pests killed. As Braysher (1993) notes: ‘Much current practise concentrates on <strong>the</strong> pest <strong>and</strong> its numbers, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> links between pest density <strong>and</strong> <strong>impact</strong> are poorly quantified. Consequently, it is <strong>of</strong>ten difficult to determine <strong>the</strong> cost-effectiveness <strong>of</strong> control action.’ Bomford et al. (1995) are blunter: ‘Unfortunately, killing pests may <strong>of</strong>ten do little to prevent environmental damage. We cannot assume that reduced pest numbers leads to reduced environmental damage.’ To assess whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> objectives are being met, adequate monitoring is essential (see below). • What legislation is relevant? It is important that any <strong>management</strong> plan developed adheres to relevant local, state <strong>and</strong> Commonwealth legislation. Knowledge <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> relevant Acts, Regulations <strong>and</strong> obligations should be sought before a <strong>management</strong> plan is developed. • Do <strong>the</strong> objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plan align with those <strong>of</strong> regional, state or Commonwealth plans or policies? A hierarchy <strong>of</strong> NRM planning exists in Australia, based on <strong>the</strong> different levels <strong>of</strong> government. These start with broad scale Commonwealth plans through to small-scale local or regional plans at <strong>the</strong> bottom. As one moves down <strong>the</strong> hierarchical scale, specificity <strong>and</strong> detail in <strong>the</strong> plans increases. Thus a Commonwealth plan may suggest control <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> predators in arid zones whilst a state plan will discuss <strong>management</strong> <strong>of</strong> foxes in a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state, <strong>and</strong> a regional plan may suggest fox control in a single property or catchment. Each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se plans needs to align for strategic <strong>management</strong> to occur. Thus regional planners need to have a thorough underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> broader scale plans that are relevant to <strong>the</strong>ir region <strong>and</strong> align <strong>the</strong>ir objectives accordingly. 188
Examination <strong>of</strong> broader-scale plans will also assist regional planners in determining appropriate priorities, control options <strong>and</strong> <strong>management</strong> strategies. • Who will champion <strong>the</strong> <strong>management</strong> plan? It is very important that a core group, usually involving a key agency <strong>and</strong>/or community participants, is willing to champion any <strong>feral</strong> <strong>management</strong> plan. The enthusiasm <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs involved in <strong>the</strong> <strong>management</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> <strong>animals</strong> in <strong>the</strong> region may wane with time, but a core group committed to seeing <strong>the</strong> project through to completion will provide <strong>the</strong> impetus for completion. This group will need to take responsibility for initiating, developing <strong>and</strong> implementing <strong>the</strong> <strong>management</strong> plan. Importantly, <strong>the</strong> core group should also take responsibility for monitoring <strong>and</strong> evaluation <strong>of</strong> results. All too <strong>of</strong>ten, l<strong>and</strong>holders lose interest in a project once <strong>the</strong> control measures have been put in place. The core group should maintain its commitment to <strong>the</strong> project to <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> monitoring <strong>and</strong> documenting <strong>the</strong> final outcome. • Have <strong>the</strong> views <strong>of</strong> Indigenous l<strong>and</strong>holders been taken into consideration? Indigenous communities are an integral component <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Australian Rangel<strong>and</strong>s. Large tracts <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> are under Indigenous control <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y possess a wealth <strong>of</strong> experience in managing <strong>the</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scape that can provide important <strong>and</strong> insightful information into <strong>the</strong> planning process. Indigenous communities are also likely be one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> primary groups involved in implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> animal control in <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s. Their cultural beliefs, views <strong>and</strong> opinions need to be taken into consideration <strong>and</strong> respected. Indigenous issues are considered in detail in Section 7.2.1. • Are <strong>the</strong> most effective <strong>and</strong> humane <strong>management</strong> tools being used in <strong>the</strong> most efficient way? Once <strong>the</strong> objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>management</strong> plan are clear, it is important that <strong>the</strong> most effective <strong>and</strong> humane <strong>management</strong> techniques are utilised. A variety <strong>of</strong> complimentary techniques should be used in an integrated approach. The specific details <strong>of</strong> various <strong>management</strong> tools <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir effectiveness across a range <strong>of</strong> environments can be sourced from State <strong>and</strong> Commonwealth agencies, Threat Abatement Plans (TAPs), <strong>the</strong> BRS publication series on vertebrate pest <strong>management</strong> <strong>and</strong> many o<strong>the</strong>r sources. Codes <strong>of</strong> Practice (COPs) on <strong>the</strong> control <strong>of</strong> particular <strong>feral</strong> species should be followed where <strong>the</strong>y exist <strong>and</strong> St<strong>and</strong>ard Operating Procedures (SOPs) adhered to for individual techniques to ensure safety, humanness <strong>and</strong> effectiveness. • Has an integrated <strong>management</strong> plan been developed? Feral animal <strong>management</strong> plans need to be integrated, both with o<strong>the</strong>r NRM plans <strong>and</strong> across species. Often common techniques are used or can be slightly modified to include a range <strong>of</strong> target species. It can be more cost-effective to manage <strong>the</strong> <strong>impact</strong>s several <strong>feral</strong> species in an integrated manner, producing potentially larger biodiversity benefits for <strong>the</strong> investment. For example, in semi-arid New South Wales, Newsome etal. (1989) found that rabbit numbers increased significantly in areas where <strong>feral</strong> cats <strong>and</strong> foxes were systematically removed, compared to areas where <strong>the</strong> predators were left alone. Again an integrated approach would be most effective by controlling all three species. Integrated <strong>management</strong> is also <strong>the</strong> best approach where <strong>feral</strong> <strong>animals</strong> contribute to <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong> serious weeds or o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> degradation that managers are tackling. 189
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Review of<
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Contributors Andrew Norris Pest Ani
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3.7.36 Common Myna (Acridot
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Table of figures F
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Section 2 Introduction Feral <stron
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Amanda Dimmock, QD
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Section 3 A status review o
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3.4 Birds Thirteen (or 14) species
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Information on the
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Summary A rodent that contributes t
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Dingoes can become a threat to wild
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The significance of</strong
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macropods and b<st
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^Lasiorhinus krefftii North
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Perceived threat Geopsittacus occid
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conservation areas. It is less clea
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Table 8 Rare species found in <stro
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Competition Several examples are re
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In truth, camels do substantial dam
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the Tanami. Buffal
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The situation today Buffalo numbers
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qualify under IUCN criteria as enda
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3.7.16 Goat (Capra hircus) Summary
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Drakonorchis drakeoides Hinged Drag
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3.7.19 Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Su
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Impacts Much is known about <strong
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Distribution Ostriches have won <st
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nest in tree hollows along
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Distribution The skylark is found i
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Distribution The blackbird is wides
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Land, and<
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have been translocated to o
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esources. Significant investment in
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many native species (Clarke et al.
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spread across the
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Section 4 Legislative framework 4.1
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protection, as long as it falls wit
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Native Vegetation Conservation Act
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ehabilitate existing native vegetat
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suppression, which is the</
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al. 1986, 1987). The use of
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5.1.4 Mustering Commercial musterin
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etal. (1997) found that many native
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the vaccine <stron
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Where possible, integration <strong
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strategy, relative cost-effectivene
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Fencing Feral buffalo have a reputa
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5.3 Management of
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Summary of <strong
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time comes for the
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Summary of <strong
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Individual tracking Tracking is a l
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SA - Currently cats are not widely
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Method of control
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Aerial shooting Aerial shooting can
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Summary of <strong
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80% of export was
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ensuring effective treatment <stron
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the lower cost, wi
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5.8 Management of
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conservation value rathe</s
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effort on the cont
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5.9 Management of
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follow transect lines, one kilometr
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as a refuge from predators. Removal
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Summary of <strong
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was completed it was the</s
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warren structure amenable to recolo
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Poisons Traditionally, strychnine,
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infected and steri
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of high priority.
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Method of control
Page 146 and 147: 5.11 Management of
Page 148 and 149: technique can allow for cost-effect
Page 150 and 151: Summary of <strong
Page 152 and 153: In South Australia, between 30 <str
Page 154 and 155: Summary of <strong
Page 156 and 157: % respondents 100% 90% 80% 70% 60%
Page 158 and 159: a) b) Figure 3. a) Extent o
Page 160 and 161: Figure 4 Response frequency for lik
Page 162 and 163: distribution of <s
Page 164 and 165: Section 7 Key problems and<
Page 166 and 167: • Goats degrading temperate woodl
Page 168 and 169: conservation problems in Europe <st
Page 170 and 171: message that camels are a valuable
Page 172 and 173: In the Koolatong R
Page 174 and 175: environmental degradation’ (Nor<s
Page 176 and 177: ecause dingo and d
Page 178 and 179: Various control methods have been a
Page 180 and 181: Pascale Taplin, an Indigenous L<str
Page 182 and 183: Lack of a Strategi
Page 184 and 185: eradicated after seeing the
Page 186 and 187: In some situations, payment <strong
Page 188 and 189: could have led to better protocols
Page 190 and 191: Game hunting is a growing business,
Page 192 and 193: Much as we might like it, t
Page 194 and 195: conservation outcome. In such a sit
Page 198 and 199: • Have the non-t
Page 200 and 201: provide opportunities for strategic
Page 202 and 203: Section 9 Priorities for investment
Page 204 and 205: contacted for exact locations <stro
Page 206 and 207: way. Achilles heel research should
Page 208 and 209: efficient in any given situation. R
Page 210 and 211: west Queensland re
Page 212 and 213: Crossland, MR, 199
Page 214 and 215: Forsyth, DM, and P
Page 216 and 217: Lange, RT, and Gra
Page 218 and 219: Morgan, LA and But
Page 220 and 221: Parkes, JP, 1990, Feral goat contro
Page 222 and 223: Van Rensberg, PJJ, Skinner, JD, <st
Page 224 and 225: Appendix A Ferals animals</
Page 226 and 227: Indigenous lands I
Page 228 and 229: Appendix B Stakeholder survey form
Page 230 and 231: 222
Page 232 and 233: 224
Page 234 and 235: 226
Page 236 and 237: Appendix C Database on past NHT fun
Page 238 and 239: Lachlan Rehabilitation of</
Page 240 and 241: Northern Territory
Page 242 and 243: Cape York Ambiilmungu-Ngarra tradit
Page 244 and 245: Wet Tropics Expansion and</
Page 246 and 247:
Avon Protecting and</strong
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