Dear ,
Welcome to issue 197 of Feral Flyer.
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IA CRC Extension Bid Update: Research Project Proposals submitted
After being advised that the Invasive Animals CRC was one of only 10 bids invited to Stage 2 of the assessment process for this CRC Program funding round, the IACRC management bid team and prospective project leaders developed four Research Project Proposals, which were submitted to DIISR last Thursday (15 Sept. 2011). The CRC Committee seek a sample project from each program (Land Pests, Inland Water Pests, Community Engagement, Commercialisation) within the prospective CRC. Developing the RPPs within the two week period was an intense process. As such, thanks to Dr Tanja Strive, Prof Steve Sarre, Prof Paul Martin and Dr Simon Humphrys for leading their respective teams in developing what I think are strong RPP’s that both demonstrate the quality of the research being undertaken and the calibre of the research team
The Carp are coming – the carp are coming – 4000% increase in one year
Hoards of young carp have recently converged below the Menindee Main Weir on the Darling River. The hoard is a response to the huge increase in carp numbers (by more than 4,000%) in the lower Darling River (below Menindee) during the 2010–11 carp breeding season, according to NSW Department of Primary Industries-Fisheries. The recent population explosion in carp underlines the importance of research through the Invasive Animals CRC, supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and using CSIRO’s research expertise to produce a strategic toolbox of carp control technologies.
The picture right shows young carp aggregated below the Menindee Main Weir on the Darling River, Nigel Harriss NSW Office of Water 2011.
The centrepiece – Australia’s first carp biocontrol agent Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV–3) which may be able to achieve an 80% plus knockdown of carp, without affecting native fish, is in the research pipeline. Other carp research from the Invasive Animals CRC has found that there are only a modest number of carp breeding “hotspots” within the Murray-Darling Basin enabling this biocontrol or other tools to be strategically and most efficiently implemented rather than being diluted over tens of thousands of kilometres of river. Media Release
IA CRC Tender opportunities
Design of sensor-triggered aerosol activator – Call for Expression of Interest
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IA CRC) aims to create new technologies to reduce the impact of invasive animals on Australia’s economy, environment and people. One technology under development by the IA CRC and collaborators is a sensor-triggered aerosol activator and associated applicator.
Parties interested in tendering for the design of this automated sensing and aerosol triggering device are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to be lodged by 4:00pm (ACST) Friday September 30, 2011. Design and construction of prototypes is required by October 14, 2011, although negotiable.
Expression of interest document
Draft ACT Pest Animal Strategy open for comment
We are seeking input from the ACT and wider community on the Draft ACT Pest Animal Management Strategy. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to provide information and comment on any issues that they consider relevant, in addition to the issues identified in the draft strategy. Submissions must be made by COB 26 September 2011. More
CRC Submission on silver fox imports
The Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre welcomes the opportunity to comment on the submission to add silver foxes to the Live Import List. We strongly oppose this application on a number of grounds. The proposal to import Vulpes vulpes into Australia for use as a companion animal presents an unacceptable risk. http://www.invasiveanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IACRCSubmission_SilverFoxes.pdf
Social aspects of feral pig management PhD
Congratulations are in order for former PhD student Dr Carla Meurk. Carla’s thesis has been accepted and her award of Doctor of Philosophy was conferred on the 12th September and she will graduate in December.
Carla looks after the social aspects of feral pig management in the wet tropics of north Queensland
Click here for Carla’s story
Well done Carla.
Teacher guide now available for school education resources
PestTales and Feral Focus are curriculum based educational resources developed for secondary and primary school teachers and their students.
Pest Tales provides primary school teachers with a complete and up to date resource which highlights pest animal species in Australia, their impact and current ways of managing the damage they inflict on the environment, economy and people. A list of lesson plans, activities and interactive scenarios present teachers with strong links to curriculum profiles, including the new National Curriculum in science. Pest Tales is designed specifically for year 5 and 6 students.
Feral Focus provides teachers with a web based education resource which explains the characteristics of pest animals and the complexities of dealing with them in Australia. This resource has been developed for high school students specifically years 8, 9 and 10.
A ready to use teacher guide power point presentation introducing the issue of pest animals in Australia is now available from the homepage of both Pest Tales and Feral Focus. It comes complete with notes that teachers can talk to and can be used in the classroom setting.
Links:
- Pest Tales website: http://www.pestales.org.au/
- Feral Focus website: http://www.feralfocus.org.au/
IACRC/ACTA wins ‘Best Australian Made Machine of the Year’ award for HogHopperTM
Between September 6 and 8 the Invasive Animals CRC shared a stand with Animal Control Technologies Australia at Toowoomba’s AgShow, Queensland’s premier machinery and technology field day. With more than 700 exhibitors and 30,000 through the turn-styles the event is a sight to behold. The stand (pictured) was incredibly busy, with a great deal of interest in feral pig and wild dog control technologies, as well as mouse management products. Throughout the event Assoc. Prof. Steve Lapidge presented a well-attended talk Invasive animal management– what’s on the horizon? each day a 10am, 12pm and 2pm.
Read More http://qcl.farmonline.com.au/multimedia/27109/the-lands-farm-inventor-competition.aspx
Invasive Animals CRC Photography Competition 2011
For your chance to win fabulous prizes, send in your photos of one of Australia’s pest animals or the damage they cause? http://www.invasiveanimals.com/feral-photos/
Wild Dog DVD Launch
The Invasive Animals CRC, with assistance from the Australian Government’s Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, has produced a new self-help DVD that shows farmers how to use traps in wild dog control. Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig in launching the DVD said the DVD provides landholders with the capacity to be proactive and effectively control wild dogs to reduce their impact on their livestock/agriculture. Managing Vertebrate Pests – introduction to using foot hold traps for the capture of wild dogs and foxes includes State-by-State guides to regulations for the use of foot hold traps and provides a snapshot of proven tips and techniques from a variety of locations across Australia. It contains two hours of footage and was produced with the guidance of professional trappers to enable landholders to confidently undertake trapping as part of integrated wild dog control program. National Wild Dog Facilitator, Greg Mifsud said while some parts of Australia are well serviced by professional wild dog and vertebrate pest controllers many areas are not. “Landholders should continue to call on the skills of professional trappers in areas where they are available. The DVD will help landholders in cases where professional trappers are not available”. The DVDs will be provided free-of-charge at wild dog and fox management field days and trapping training courses conducted by industry, natural resources management groups and state government agencies. Copies of the DVD are also available free-of-charge by contacting the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre on email: contact@invasiveanimals.com or (02) 6201 2887.
DVD Link: http://www.feral.org.au/ifoot-hold-traps-for-wild-dogs-and-foxes-dvd/
Participants Committee Meeting
Another IA CRC Participant’s Committee Meeting to coincide with our Annual General Meeting is to be held at
Canberra at the Belconnen Premier Inn, 27th October 2011, so please put this date aside in your diaries.
The Annual Award Dinner will be held the previous evening – 26th October and we are planning a special evening with a retrospective look at the past 20 odd years, and presenting the final awards for this CRC.
We will review the performance and achievements of the current CRC over the past year, and there will be a substantial presentation on ‘Pest Smart Information Toolkit and Roadshow’ activities, with information on how we are getting our tools and techniques demonstrated and taken up nationally.
Please RSVP to Kate Lawrence on kate.lawrence@invasiveanimals.com by 1 October, and as soon as possible
French Student Looking for work experience
If any department is interested in working with a student from the National Veterinarian School of Toulouse in the invasive animal area please contact Sarah for her CV
sarah.cook@invasiveanimals.com
Awards
2012 Science and Innovation Awards – Grant applications are now open for the 2012 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. If you’re 18-35, this is your chance to apply for up to $22,000 to fund your project on an innovative or emerging scientific issue to benefit Australia’s primary industries. http://www.abares.gov.au/conferences-events/scienceawards
Rural Women’s Award – The Award is a fantastic opportunity for women involved in primary industries, who are keen to further their leadership development and make a tangible difference to their industry and become part of a positive network of like minded women. http://www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au/
Publications
New publications & resources
PestSmart: Management of freshwater fish incursions – a review – feral.org.au (2010) – Biotic exchange has been predicted as the main driver of global biodiversity change in freshwater ecosystems.http://www.feral.org.au/management-of-freshwater-fish-incursions/
PestSmart: Towards a national emergency response system for freshwater fish incursions feral.org.au (2010) Freshwater fish incursions are a significant issue in Australia and a major biosecurity risk to freshwater ecosystems.http://www.feral.org.au/emergency-response-for-freshwater-fish-incursions/
Australian Wool Innovation Beyond the Bale September 2011 Newsletter Local woolgrower groups are taking action to protect their sheep flocks against wild dogs. http://digital.wool.com.au/?xml=awi.xml&startpage=26
Robley A, Woodford L, Lindeman M, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 213. Ivone G, Beach M, Campbell I, Blair J, Lineham G, Peters W (2011) Assessing the effectiveness of buried baiting for the control of wild dogs in Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, Vic. http://www.feral.org.au/?p=49109
Robley A Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 217. (2011) Assessing the safe and effective use of aerial baiting for the control of wild dogs in Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Vic. http://www.feral.org.au/?p=49111
Woodford L, Robley A Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 218. (2011) Assessing the effectiveness and reliability of a trap alert system for use in wild dog control. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Heidelberg, Vic. http://www.feral.org.au/?p=49102
Media Round-up
Heritage Ag Show
THE 19th Heritage Ag Show will kick off against a backdrop of improved seasonal conditions, a batch of new machinery releases and the expectation of healthy crowds. More
Pricing, demand key to mouse bait
PRICING is emerging as one of the key issues in the current debate about mouse bait. The temporary stations are able to produce bait, using unsterilised grain, that is far cheaper than MouseOff, the permanently registered mouse control product. More
Cold, hard war at the end of the Earth
For well over a century, rabbits and rodents have run amok on this remote outpost of Australia, decimating unique flora and fauna and risking the island’s UNESCO world heritage status. More
Sort out mouse mess
THE CURRENT situation regarding mouse bait and upcountry baiting stations is fast becoming farcical. More
Mouse bait standstill
THE FUTURE of temporary regional mouse baiting stations is in limbo, with sites at Berriwillock in Victoria and Wagga Wagga, NSW, closed down following breaches of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulations and others halting work as they reached their permitted production tonnage. More
Upcoming conferences
For more information on these and other events, please see details on our website.
2011.
- Wildlife Disease Association (WDA) Australasia Annual Conference. Meningie, SA. 25-30 September.
- 6th Annual Society for Risk Analysis Conference, Brisbane, QLD. 26-28 September.
- 8th European Vertebrate Pest Management Conference. Berlin, Germany 26-30 September.
- Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities Conference (AMRRIC). Townsville Queensland, 11 October 2011
- 2011 MDBA Native Fish Forum, Canberra, ACT. 18-19 October.
- AELERT (Australian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators neTwork) 2011 Conference, Darwin Convention Centre 26-28 October 2011
- 38th Natural Areas Conference: Adaptation and protection of biodiversity in a changing world. Tallahassee, Florida, USA, 1-4 November 2011.
- HWCC Conflict training: Analyzing and Transforming Conflict to Create Sustainable Solutions for People and Wildlife. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, The Big Island, Hawaii, 1-4 November.
- 18th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society. The Big Island, Hawaii 5-10 November.
- Ecological Society of Australia annual conference. Hobart, Tasmania. 21-25 November.
- Biolief: Biological Invasions and Ecosystem Functioning. Mar del Plata, Argentina, 21-24 November.
- AMWS Conference. Bathurst NSW, November 29-December 1.
- International Congress for Conservation Biology. Auckland, New Zealand 5-9 December.
2012
- 25th Vertebrate Pest Conference (USA). Monterey, California. 5-8 March
- 4th International Wildlife Management Congress. Durban, South Africa. 9-12 July
- 3rd European Congress of Conservation Biology. Glasgow, Scotland. 28 Aug-1 Sept
- Fertility Control Conference. Jackson Wyoming, USA. 29 Aug-1 Sept
