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

Distribution
Ostriches have won <strong>the</strong>ir freedom from time to time as a result <strong>of</strong> escapes or releases
from ostrich farms. The small <strong>feral</strong> population that once occurred about 30 kilometres
north <strong>of</strong> Port Augusta, in South Australia, is thought to be extinct, but a h<strong>and</strong>ful <strong>of</strong>
birds may still survive (P. Copley, pers. comm.).
A flock <strong>of</strong> about 30 wild ostriches were seen in 2004 on a mining lease near Moura
(L. Agnew, pers. comm.). A road-killed bird seen between Charters Towers-
Hughendon (P. Jesser, pers. comm.) may have represented a solitary escapee or a
representative <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>feral</strong> colony. There are likely to be o<strong>the</strong>r small populations
scattered through <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s in areas where ostrich farming was practised. Some
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se colonies may not be viable; <strong>the</strong>y may not breed successfully, or <strong>the</strong>y may be
unable to survive future l<strong>and</strong> use changes.
Native to Africa <strong>and</strong> originally to <strong>the</strong> Arabian Peninsula as well. Large numbers are
kept in Australia in ostrich farms.
Impacts
Any small <strong>feral</strong> populations occurring in <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s would not be having much
<strong>impact</strong>. With <strong>the</strong> boom <strong>and</strong> bust cycle <strong>of</strong> ostrich farming in recent years <strong>the</strong>re may
have been many releases <strong>and</strong> escapes, producing new <strong>feral</strong> populations; as has
happened with deer.
3.7.24 Helmeted Guinea-Fowl (Numida meleagris)
Summary
A bird <strong>of</strong> extremely restricted distribution within <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s, with currently no
<strong>impact</strong> on biodiversity, but potentially capable <strong>of</strong> invading large regions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> arid
zone.
Distribution
In Western Australia a small <strong>feral</strong> population occurs around Broome (Collins 1995),
but only in association with urban dwellings, <strong>the</strong> birds apparently receiving food from
people.
In north Queensl<strong>and</strong> guinea-fowl occur in <strong>and</strong> around Charters Towers (Britton &
Britton 2000). A small breeding population (about 17 birds) has resided at All Souls’
<strong>and</strong> St Gabriel’s School for decades. A second colony was recorded in 1995 nine
kilometres north-west <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> town (Britton & Britton 2000). At both Broome <strong>and</strong>
Charters Towers <strong>the</strong> birds are periodically killed by cars.
In north Queensl<strong>and</strong> a small <strong>feral</strong> population occurs outside <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s on
Magnetic Isl<strong>and</strong> (Jo Wienecki pers. comm.) <strong>and</strong> a <strong>feral</strong> population once existed on
Heron Isl<strong>and</strong> (Long 1981).
Guinea-fowl are native to Africa. In Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Africa a <strong>feral</strong> population occurs in <strong>and</strong>
around Cape Town.
Impacts
Guinea fowl at present have a negligible presence within <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> no
<strong>impact</strong> upon biodiversity could be expected. But guinea fowl have formed <strong>feral</strong>
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