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Invasive Animals CRC home

Exotic invasive species (pest animals and weeds) are a major cause of global biodiversity decline. Australia has the unenviable record of having nearly half the known mammalian extinctions worldwide in the past 200 years.  Between 1995 and 2005 the number of terrestrial bird and mammal species assessed as extinct, endangered or vulnerable rose by 41% from 129 to 169 (ABS ­2006).  

Competition for feed, predation and land degradation by feral animals (goats, rabbits, cats, foxes, pigs and cane toads) are listed as key threatening processes under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. [more]

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Rabbits

Rabbits - are considered the biggest problem (in economic terms), estimated to cause about $200 million damage a year. [more]

Rabbits

Feral pigs - occupy close to 40% of mainlan­d Australia and are the next most damaging animal to our agricultural industries. [more]

Rabbits

Foxes - are a huge problem. The economic and environmental impact of this species is greater than any other introduced vertebrate. [more]

Rabbits

Feral cats - Our native fauna did not evolve with carnivorous predators such as these, and do not have avoidance strategies. [more]


Wild dog_cropped for website

Wild dogs - Australia has a significant problem with wild dogs, which are estimated to cost around $66M a year to agriculture, primarily by killing lambs and calves. [more]



[more invasive animals]

Hot Topics and News

Savannah cats

A legal loophole may allow 16 hybrid African Serval x domestic cat to be imported as 'pets'.   [Read more on Savannas]  [listen to a radio interview] Media release below.

1080 debate

At present, 1080 is the only suitable pesticide for the control of feral pigs, wild dogs and foxes in Australia and is also an important control tool for rabbits.  Its ongoing use is critical to the success of regional conservation efforts.  The RSPCA has expressed concerns over its continued use.  The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has, however, recently reviewed its use and on 17 January 2008 approved continued registration with new labelling conditions.  Visit the APVMA website for more information. 

<More information on 1080>


Australia named as one of the world's six hot spots for invasive fish invasions 

A research paper published in the online journal PLoS Biology has identified Australia as being in the top six sites where 'more than a quarter of the species of freshwater fish are non-native'.  < Click here to read more>.


Tilapia spread assisted by deliberate releases

There has been recent press on deliberate releases of aquarium fish into Australia's waterways, with the result that fast breeders like Tilapia have quickly become established in some parts of the country.  Read press.

< Read our tilapia web page>. 


Are rabbits developing resistance to calicivirus? 

The short answer is yes!  Australia's leading expert on the biological control agency and CRC researcher Dr Brian Cooke has reviewed the evidence and has found that some populations are showing high levels of resistance to the disease. < Read media release>.    

< More on the RHD genetic resistance project>


Wild dog management project gears up

Click here to read some of the recent press.  For more on our wild dog management project, visit the project page.


'Tree change' phenomenon contributing to wild dog problem?

Wild dogs have traditionally been seen as a rural problem.  Now popular 'tree change' localities such as Maroochy Shire are finding resident wild dog populations.   In the last year the council caught 69 pest animals, of which 49 (over 70%) were feral.  To read more, click here.


IA CRC Terrestrial Program leader wins AWMS award

Dr Glen Saunders wins prestigious Australian Wildlife Management Society achievement award . < Click here for media release>.


Six more fox scats collected from across Tasmania

Six scats collected as part of the Tasmanian Fox Eradication Program’s ongoing monitoring and investigation activities have been identified as fox scats by the University of Canberra’s Institute of Applied Ecology. The scats were among thousands of scats that have been collected by the Program and sent to the University of Canberra for DNA analysis.
< Click here to read more - Fox Eradication Program website >
< Click here to go to the Tasmanian demonstration site page - IA CRC website>

Latest media release

Savannah cats media release June08
serval cross domestic cats importation into Australia, legal loophole [pdf 171.8 kb]


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