Dear ,
Welcome to issue 174 of Feral Flyer.
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Management change at the Invasive Animals CRC
Prof Tony Peacock has resigned as CEO of the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre to become the new CEO of the Cooperative Research Centres Association (more: http://www.crca.asn.au/ )
Andreas Glanznig, former Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed as the CEO of the IA CRC.
Andreas Glanznig, CEO of the IA CRC
Andreas can be contacted on 02 6201 2887 or via email at either andreas.glanznig@invasiveanimals.com or ceo@invasiveanimals.com
Click here to read the letter to participants from IA CRC Chair, Helen Cathles, outlining further details of Andreas’ appointment. Also read more about Andreas from the Canberra Times article published 21st September.
Towards a tilapia toolkit
A Mozambique mouth-brooder: one of the declared noxious tilapia species which have been progressively colonising watercourses around Queensland and Wetern Australia
During the Queensland Pest Animal Symposium held last month (3-5 August in Gladstone), John Russell of Queensland DEEDI, assisted by Jessica Marsh, IA CRC’s NRM Liaison Officer, faciltiated a very successful tilapia workshop, “Tackling tilapia incursions: a workshop to develop a management and control toolkit”.
DEEDI, in cooperation with the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, is developing a tilapia ‘toolkit’ that will contain pertinent information on the biology, ecology, impacts and management of feral populations of tilapia. This information will be suitable for use by a wide cross-section of interested parties including local government, natural resource and water managers and community groups.
The workshop included presentations on the biology, distribution and impacts of tilapia. There was also a talk outlining regulatory considerations and a series of case studies describing recent attempts to eradicate tilapia from Queensland waterways. These case studies detailed the lessons that have been learnt from those eradication programs.
There was also interactive workshop session that gave participants a unique opportunity to shape the contents, format and presentation of the ‘toolkit’. There was an opportunity to discuss other issues including training needs, the importance of accurate identification, availability and suitability of current extension material and reporting procedures.
Thanks to all participants.
Jess Marsh presents at the tilapia toolkit workshop
Best wishes for Michelle and her new career
Michelle writes up results during a field trial (ed: she'll hate me for this pic - she's usually much more glamorous!)
Michelle Smith has resigned from her position as Research and Development Manager at Animal Control Technologies (ACTA) and will be relocating to Mackay to take on a role as Biosecurity Officer with Biosecurity Queenland.
Michelle leaves a lasting legacy though her work with ACTA.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle for much of the eight years I have been with the IACRC and its forerunner, and have always found Michelle to be an incredibly efficient, meticulous and cheerful colleague. In her time with ACTA she has been instrumental in delivering RATOFF and other rodents products, PIGOUT, PAPP and in the not too distant future HOG-GONE. Thanks Michelle for all your hard work and I am sure that I speak for everyone in wishing you all the very best for the future,” Said A/Prof Steven Lapidge, IA CRC’s Uptake Program Leader.
Michelle’s last day in the office will be October 1st. We wish her all the best in the sunshine state.
PhD opportunity – Landcare New Zealand
Applications are sought for a PhD project at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, in collaboration with Landcare Research NZ.
The PhD is focussed on pest mammal behaviour and interactions with control devices in relation to maximizing detection probabilities. This PhD is part of a larger programme of research funded by the NZ Foundation of Research Science and Technology aimed at improving the cost-effectiveness of both aerial and ground-based control and eradication of mammal pests for the protection of New Zealand’s indigenous biota and livestock health.
For further information, refer to the brief.
Our balanced scientists… Where are they now?
'Balanced Scientist' Andrew Bengsen
IA CRC-supported PhD student, Andrew Bengsen, is one of several ‘Balanced Scientists‘ to have submitted their PhDs. He is now working as a Project Officer with the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management (KI NRM) Board.
Andrew’s PhD on feral pigs was done as part of the IA CRC’s Daintree Demonstration Site, where he developed methods to reduce the impacts of poison baiting on non-target species in the region. As part of the CRC’s support for his PhD, he participated in the Balanced Scientist program.
“As well as providing technical skills and knowledge that were of immediate use during my studies and beyond, the experience and knowledge I gained about some of the less obvious aspects of a career in science helped me move smoothly into a rewarding research job,” said Andrew.
His job with the KI NRM Board involves him developing methods for controlling feral cats on the Island. This includes field evaluations of innovative cat control tools, as well as gathering and interpreting information about habitat use and population densities and structure that will be used to inform cat control strategies and tactics.
“Feral cats are a significant environmental and economic pest on the Island, and I’m fortunate to be in a position to be able to contribute to mitigating their impacts,” he said.
Read more about Andrews PhD topic, and the feral animal control programs of the KI NRM Board.
Tweets from ‘pestiness’ and our Feral Thoughts
Tony Peacock’s blog has been taken over by staff from the IA CRC, airing their feral thoughts. The popular blogsite, Feral Thoughts, contains posts on the recent going-ons in the offices and surrounds of the IA CRC, such as the feral pigeon invasion and further comment on the change of leadership. Readers are welcome to respond to articles and provide comments.
To catch more news as it happens, follow ‘pestiness‘ as titbits of information from trivial ramblings regarding what she’s working on, to employment opportunities and recent research results are tweeted. As the following increases, further information such as Feral Thoughts postings, media releases and re-tweets from our research partners will be sent. With a 140 character word limit per tweet and sporadic publishing history, you wont be overloaded with information.
Our NZ colleagues shaken and stirred
The earthquake that shook Christchurch, New Zealand earlier this month has caused major disruptions to some of the IA CRC staff and
After the earthquake: Dr Elaine Murphy's study earlier this month (she assures readers that this is out of the ordinary)
participants. Particularly Dr Elaine Murphy, IA CRC’s Detection and Prevention Program Leader.
Dr Murphy and her family are all okay but she reports that it was frightening.
“I thought the house was going to collapse but it didn’t. Most of the bookcases fell down along with some plates & pictures. Our house is over 100 years old and it was really swaying,” Dr Murphy said.
Her offices at Kilmore street sustained major damage, and as Christchurch is still receiving aftershock quakes, there are new cracks emerging in her house.
We hope the earth stops shaking for our NZ colleagues and they can get on with repairs and return to business as usual soon.
Diary Marker: IA CRC AGM and Participants’ Committee Meeting
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Pavilion on Northbourne, Dickson ACT
More information about the venue and program will be provided directly to IA CRC Board members and participants. Interested individuals are also welcome to attend.
For more information and to register your interest in attending please contact kate.lawrence@invasiveanimals.com (02) 6201 2887.
Publications
Toad impacts study by Prof Rick Shine
Prof Rick Shine, winner of the IA CRC 2010 Chair’s Prize, has a new paper published in the Quarterly Review of Biology, which focuses on the ecological impact of Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) in Australia. A review of studies suggests that a single pathway lethal toxic ingestion of toads by frog-eating predators is the major mechanism of impact, but that the magnitude of impact varies dramatically among predator taxa, as well as through space and time.
Population genetics of invasive common carp
IA CRC-supported PhD student, Gwilym Haynes is the lead author in an article published in the Journal of Fish Biology. For more information on the article, Population genetics of invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio L) in coastal drainages in eastern Australia, click here.
Feral Herald
The Feral Herald is one of the newsletters from the Invasive Species Council. Issue #25 looks at a new invader that has arrived on our shores. Described only in 2006, myrtle rust has infected cultivated Myrtaceae species on six properties in NSW. Is it going to be a catastrophe for Australian forests, or just a forewarning of what could get here in the future?
Feral Camel Management News
Edition 8 of Australian Feral Camel Management Project News is out now. The newsletter provides updates on the AFCMP project, being coordinated byNinti One Ltd, with funding support from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program, and working with a range of partners and stakeholders to mitigate the impact of feral camels on desert ecosystems, the pastoral industry, Aboriginal remote communities and public safety. Click here if you would like to subscribe.
Toad Busters
Issue 35 of the Kimberley Toad Busting Newsletter is out now. This 35th Kimberley Toad Busters’ Newsletter is produced by Kimberley Specialists In Research Inc in conjunction with Kimberley Toad Busters Inc. For more information, visit: www.canetoads.com.au
Media round-up
Guardian dogs: man and beast’s best friend
Guardian dogs can save millions of dollars and the lives of stock. Linda van Bommel has written the manual on how to train and keep guardian dogs. It’s been produced by the Invasive Animals Co-operative Research Centre and was funded by the Bureau of Rural Science. More
Cheaper mouse bait available
Cheaper mouse bait will be available to Eyre Peninsula farmers from next week. SA Agriculture Minister Michael O’Brien has praised chemical producer Animal Control Technologies for working constructively with government and farmers to achieve a positive outcome. More
Record rain to bring out feral animals
Record rainfall across most of Australia means feral animals will begin to emerge, a peak research body says. Andreas Glanznig, head the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, says feral animals already have a huge impact on the Australian environment. More
New tool in battle against feral dogs and foxes
After extensive research and field trials, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is about to roll out a device that may revolutionise the current approach to the control of wild dogs and foxes in National Parks. The M-44 has been trialled at seven different locations across NSW for periods from between two weeks to two years. More
Opposition commitment on aerial baiting welcomed
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the announcement by the State Opposition that, if elected, a Liberal-National Government would implement aerial baiting as a component of wild dog management. More
5000 mink freed from farm
The release of some 5000 mink from a farm in Co Donegal, Ireland, is being investigated while locals search for the hundreds of animals that remain on the loose. More
Big cats – rumour or reality?
Panthers and big black cats – the Department of Primary Industries says no, but now its own doggers disagree. Dogger diaries just released under Freedom of Information are peppered with reports of sheep gutted, calves brought down and assessments such as “big cat for sure”. More
IA CRC in the news
A selection of current media articles directly related to the IA CRC is available here. You can subscribe to receive updates directly to your email inbox or mobile phone, or save as a favourite page in your web browser and view at your convenience. This feed can also be provided to third parties without the risk of copyright breach.
Upcoming conferences
For more information on these and other events, please see details on our website.
2010
- Australian Rangeland Society 16th Biennial Conference. Bourke, Australia, 26-30 September.
- Australasian Wildlife Management Society Symposium. Sydney, Australia. 20-21 October.
- Australasian Wildlife Management Society 2010 Conference. Torquay, Victoria. 1-3 December.
- Ecological Society of Australia 2010 Annual Conference. Australian National University, Canberra, 6-10 December.
- International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies. Honolulu, Hawaii, 15-20 December.
2011
- 2nd International Invasive Birds Conference. Cape Town, South Africa, 7-9 March 2011.
- 15th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference. Sydney, Australia, 20-23 June 2011.
- Biolief: Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functioning. Mar del Plata, Argentina, 21-24 November 2011.
- International Congress for Conservation Biology. Christchurch, New Zealand 29 November-2 December.
