Terrestrial Products and Strategies
The Terrestrial Products and Strategies Program covers a wide range of species management issues. It represents a continuation of some work begun in the Pest Animal Control CRC, along with a considerable amount of new work. The delivery times for projects range from one year to greater than five years.
Wild dog and fox research
The Invasive Animals CRC will complete the development of an additional new toxin for wild dog and fox control, begun in the Pest Animal Control CRC. This major project, if successful, will offer significant new opportunities for the control of dogs and foxes, particularly in eastern Australia where aerial baiting is currently restricted by non-target concerns. Pestat Pty Ltd is leading the work on behalf of Australian Wool Innovation Ltd, in close collaboration with a number of key participants.
In addition to technical development of a new bait, research is needed into increasing the overall level of dog control using existing methods. A National Wild Dog Facilitator, Greg Mifsud, has been appointed to help fill this need.
For further information on our wild dog and fox projects, see: Goal 1: A benefit of $29 million per annum by reducing the impacts of fox and wild dogs by 10% .
Rabbit research
The IA CRC is also involved in several projects to assess and promote the continuing effectiveness of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), also known as calicivirus. Latest data appear to support the premise that the disease is of varying virility and effectiveness in different climatic areas, and also that some rabbits appear to have either an inherited or acquired immunity to the virus which causes this disease. Australia’s foremost rabbit ecologist and RHD expert, Dr Brian Cooke has also conducted a literature review and analysis of data to assess this. Through IA CRC project, RHD-Boost, the feasibility of new strains of RHD will be investigated.
Cane Toad research
The IA CRC has taken a three-pronged approach to the issue of toad research. Firstly, we sponsored a project to improve our knowledge and understanding of toad ecology, including the way toads breed, move across the environment, their diet and habitat requirements.
Secondly, we investigated the viability of using the toad’s own toxins and pheromones to either assist trapping efforts by drawing toads towards the traps, or to enhance or develop a baiting program.
Our third project investigated using genetic modification of sex determinants to cause female toads to produce only male offspring — the so called ‘daughterless’ concept.
Additionally, one of our participant companies, Pestat Pty Ltd, is developing a fast-acting and humane spray product – HopStop® – that acts to anaesthetise toads, with death occurring while the animal is unconscious. Pestat is conducting further field and stability trials and will investigate commercialising the product.
For further information on our rabbit projects, see: Goal 5. Deliver innovative, practical control measures against cane toads.
Feral pig research
Initial feral pig work focussed on delivery of a commercial, shelf-stable bait, PIGOUT®. Further work has been conducted on new toxin developments and species-specific delivery mechanisms. Extensive work has also been undertaken to evaluate the social impacts of feral pigs.
For further information on our feral pig projects, see: Goal 2. A benefit of $16 million per annum by reducing feral pig damage by 15%.
Feral cat research
For further information on our feral cat projects, see: Goal 6. Reduced impact of feral cats over five million hectares.
Other projects
Further projects within the Terrestrial program include:
- Fertility control of large herbivores
- Improving the management of Australia’s pest birds
- Control of rodents in intensive crops
For further information on emerging and other pest animal species, see: Goal 8. Reducing expanding and other pest species impacts.
Program leader
Dr Glen Saunders
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Orange Agricultural Institute
Forest Road
ORANGE NSW 2800
Program coordinator
Mr Chris Lane
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Orange Agricultural Institute
Forest Road
ORANGE NSW 2800
Phone; 02 6391 3897
chris.lane@invasiveanimals.com
NRM Liaison Officer
Jessica Marsh, NRM Liaison Officer
Invasive Animals CRC
Orange Agricultural Institute
Vertebrate Pest Research Unit
Forest Road
ORANGE NSW 2800
Ph: (02) 6391 3907
Fax: (02) 6391 3883
Email: jessica.marsh@invasiveanimals.com
