Feral Animals In Australia

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Impacts of introducing Animal/Plant species in Australia Australia's native plants and animals adapted to life on an isolated continent over millions of years. Since the introduction of European Species, they had to compete with different range of animals/Plants species for habitat, food and shelter. Some species even had to face new predators. These new pressures have also caused a major impact on Australia's soil and waterways and on its native plants and animals. In Australia, feral animals typically have few natural predators or fatal diseases and some also have high reproductive rates. As a result, their populations have not naturally diminished and they can multiply rapidly if conditions are favorable. Feral animals affects native species …show more content…

The objective for managing the majority of established feral animals is to reduce the damage caused by pest species in the most cost-effective manner. This may involve localised eradication, periodic reduction of feral numbers, sustained reduction of feral numbers, removal of the most destructive individuals or exclusion of feral animals from an area. The damage caused by feral animals also needs to be considered in context with other factors, such as land use, climate, weeds and grazing pressure from domestic stock. There are a number of control methods available for feral animals. These methods include conventional control techniques and biological control. Conventional control methods for feral animals include trapping, baiting, fencing and shooting. The Australian Government contracted the New South Wales Government to develop model Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures for the humane control of feral …show more content…

Traps include conventional cage traps, soft-catch traps and yards that may be created around watering holes to catch animals as they come in to drink. The setting of cage and soft-catch traps is labor intensive, as traps must be checked at least once a day, and they often have limited success. Some feral animals are trap shy, which means that the animals are reluctant to enter traps even though they are baited with food. Yard traps are commonly used for catching feral goats for live transport to markets in Australia and overseas. Where the control program must take place in rugged terrain and in vast remote areas, helicopters may be used. Helicopter shooting by trained shooters is the most humane way of reducing the number of feral animals in these areas. It is quick and the animals are not subject to the stresses of mustering and transportation. Biological

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