Lyla Lindsey
Feral animals in Australia have become a pressing issue, threatening native species and ecosystems. Australia's unique animal species evolved in isolation for millions of years, but the arrival of Europeans introduced new species that have thrived and dominated, causing negative impacts. Feral cats, foxes, rabbits, pigs, horses, deer, and other species lack natural predators and carry diseases, leading to ecological damage and the extinction of native animals. Managing these feral animals is challenging due to their high reproductive rates and the difficulty of exclusion from large tracts of land. The impact of these invasive species on agriculture and the environment has been significant, with feral cats causing nearly AU$19 billion in losses. Various control methods, including trapping, baiting, fencing, and shooting, are employed to reduce their numbers and protect native wildlife.
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What You'll Learn
Feral cats kill billions of native animals annually
Feral cats are a significant threat to native wildlife in Australia. Cats were introduced during European settlement in the 1800s to control rodents and rabbits, but they quickly became a problem themselves, thriving in the Australian environment with its abundant prey and minimal water requirements. There are now an estimated 6 million feral cats in Australia, each killing around 1,000 native animals annually. This equates to a staggering impact on the ecosystem, with feral cats killing billions of native animals in Australia every year.
Feral cats have been implicated in the extinction of native species. They have contributed to the extinction of six endemic bird species and over 70 localised subspecies, as well as the depletion of bird and lizard populations. Cats are also disease carriers and can spread illnesses to animals and marine life. Their introduction to island ecosystems has resulted in the extinction of at least 33 endemic species worldwide, and they are among the top 100 worst invasive species globally.
The impact of feral cats on native wildlife is not limited to Australia. In the United States, cats are estimated to kill 2.4 billion birds per year, with the majority of these kills attributed to feral cats. In California, the presence of feral cats has led to the disappearance of native bird species such as the California quail and California thrasher. Similarly, in Maryland, cats overhunted chipmunks, the natural prey of Cooper's hawks, causing the hawk population to struggle for food and switch to preying on more elusive songbirds, increasing nestling mortality rates.
To address the issue of feral cats in Australia, various control methods have been proposed and implemented. Conventional control techniques include trapping, baiting, fencing, and shooting. For example, the Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary in Central Australia is establishing a 650-square-kilometer feral cat-free zone by constructing a 1,600-kilometer predator-proof fence. Additionally, fertility control methods have been considered, although they are more suitable for small, isolated populations rather than the vast and rugged terrain of Australia's national parks.
While some advocate for the humane trap-neuter/spay-return programs implemented in North America, others argue that these programs do not effectively reduce wildlife mortality and that feral cat colonies should be a priority for extermination. The impact of feral cats on native wildlife in Australia underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts and stronger laws to protect nature from invasive species.
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Horses trample alpine ecosystems and endanger native species
Feral animals have wreaked havoc on Australia's wildlife and natural environment. Cats alone kill an estimated 75 million native animals across Australia every night, and rabbits, foxes, and wild pigs have become major agricultural and environmental problems. Feral horses, in particular, have caused immense ecological damage by trampling and trashing sensitive alpine ecosystems and streams, leading to the decline and extinction of native species.
Feral horses have established large populations in remote areas of Australia, including the Australian Alps and parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Their hard hooves trample peatlands, wetlands, and small mountain streams, causing siltation and altering the hydrology of streams. This, in turn, affects numerous threatened species, such as the Alpine Stonefly, Alpine Spiny Crayfish, and the Corroboree Frog. Feral horses also consume and degrade native vegetation, reducing the food and shelter available for native animals, and contributing to soil erosion.
The impact of feral horses on alpine ecosystems is evident in the decline of several native species. The Alpine Water Skink, Alpine Bog Skink, Alpine Sheoak Skink, and Alpine Tree Frog are all endangered, in part due to the destruction of their habitats by feral horses. Other vulnerable species include the Mountain Pygmy Possum, the Guthega Skink, and the Tooarrana, a fluffy, plant-eating mammal once known as the "Broad-toothed Rat."
Conservationists have expressed concern about the presence of feral horses in national parks and forests, which are meant to protect native ecosystems and threatened species. The federal government's Threatened Species Scientific Committee has warned that feral horses may be the crucial factor in causing the final extinction of 12 alpine species. Efforts to control feral horse populations through trapping and rehoming have been largely ineffective and expensive, and there is insufficient demand for rehoming to reduce the population significantly.
Urgent and humane measures are necessary to remove feral horses from sensitive alpine ecosystems. Aerial culling, while controversial due to ethical concerns, is considered a rapid and effective method of reducing feral horse numbers. While some argue for the environmental benefits of feral horses, such as reducing wildfire risk, the overall impact of these horses on alpine ecosystems and native species is detrimental and requires immediate action.
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Foxes, cats, and rabbits are among Australia's worst pests
Australia has a wide variety of feral animals, including horses, deer, pigs, goats, camels, donkeys, water buffalos, and rabbits. Foxes, cats, and rabbits are among the worst pests in Australia.
Cats alone kill an estimated 75 million native animals across Australia every night. Cats have caused more environmental damage in Australia than on any other continent. Cats and foxes are responsible for the extinction of 21 native marsupials and rodents, and the disappearance of nine other species from the mainland.
Rabbits are Australia's most destructive pest, threatening more native wildlife than cats or foxes. Rabbits have been ranked with foxes and cats as among Australia's worst pests. They are a key threat to 322 species of Australia's at-risk plants and animals, more than twice the number of species threatened by cats or foxes. Rabbits spread weeds and eat seedlings, preventing the long-term regeneration of trees and shrubs by continually eating young seedlings. This keeps ecosystems from ever reaching their natural, pre-rabbit forms. Competition with, and land degradation from, rabbits threatens over 300 native plant and animal species.
Foxes are opportunistic predators and scavengers with few natural predators in Australia. They pose a threat to livestock, preying on poultry, lambs, and goat kids. In high-density areas, they may also transmit diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, and mange to humans and pets. Evidence suggests that red foxes have caused the decline and extinction of many small and medium-sized rodent and marsupial species in Australia. They also prey on many bird species.
Feral animals in Australia typically have few natural predators or fatal diseases, and some have high reproductive rates. As a result, their populations can multiply rapidly if conditions are favorable. They impact native species through predation, competition for food and shelter, habitat destruction, and the spread of diseases.
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Feral pigs damage wetlands, eating eggs and young birds
Feral animals have caused tremendous damage to wildlife in Australia. Cats alone kill an estimated 75 million native animals across Australia every night. The red fox and cat have contributed to the extinction of 21 native marsupials and rodents. Cats have caused more environmental damage in Australia than on any other continent.
Feral pigs are a major agricultural and environmental problem in Australia. They are found in all states, particularly in wetlands and riparian ecosystems. Feral pigs have been identified as known or perceived threats to sixteen listed species, including the Eastern Bristlebird and the Flatback Turtle. The Eastern Bristlebird is listed as endangered, and the Flatback Turtle is listed as vulnerable. Habitat damage and egg loss due to feral pig predation are primary threats to these species.
Feral pigs also adversely affect the Northern Bettong, Long-footed Potoroo, White-bellied Frog, Orange-bellied Frog, Corroboree Frog, Southern Cassowary, Black-breasted Button-quail, Red-finned Blue-Eye, Hawksbill Turtle, and several plant species. The impact of feral pigs on native species and ecosystems is not easily measured, and there is a lack of quantitative data. However, their presence results in habitat changes, including the destruction of plants, alteration of soil structure, increased weed invasion, reduced water quality, and the spread of exotic earthworms.
Feral pigs are omnivores with flexible breeding habits. They consume bird chicks, eggs, reptiles, frogs, invertebrates, carrion, fruit, seeds, roots, bulbs, and plant foliage. Their breeding is influenced by the amount and quality of food available. Sows need a consistent high-protein food source to successfully breed and rear their young. When conditions are favourable, feral pig populations can increase by up to 86% in a year.
Controlling feral pig populations is challenging, and total eradication is currently impossible with available techniques and resources. However, a national Threat Abatement Plan is considered desirable to strategically allocate resources, coordinate efforts, and improve understanding of feral pigs and their impacts. Baiting with sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is a cost-effective method for reducing large populations, but it can also affect native animals such as the quoll and Tasmanian devil. Other control methods include trapping, ground shooting, and aerial shooting, which is most effective when pig populations are under resource stress.
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Water buffalo allow saltwater intrusion into freshwater wetlands
Australia has a significant problem with feral animals, with cats alone killing an estimated 75 million native animals every night. Feral horses are also causing immense ecological damage, with their trampling and trashing of alpine ecosystems and streams leading to the decline and extinction of native species. Feral deer are another of Australia's worst pest problems, causing harm to the natural environment and agriculture.
Water buffalo were introduced to Australia in the 19th century as a source of meat for remote northern settlements. They were first brought to Melville Island and the Coburg Peninsula, with 80 buffalo intended for meat and hides for local settlers. When the settlements were abandoned in 1949, the buffalo remained and colonised the permanent and semi-permanent swamps and freshwater springs in the Northern Territory.
Water buffalo can cause environmental damage in uncontrolled circumstances. They can trample vegetation, disturb nesting sites, and spread exotic weeds. In Australia, they have grossly altered the character of the northern floodplains. Their wallows, trails, dungs, trampling, and disturbance have led to soil erosion, channelling of floodwaters, and the increased intrusion of saltwater into freshwater habitats. This has caused the decline of many native species, including crocodiles, barramundi, freshwater turtles, and waterbirds.
To prevent saltwater intrusion into freshwater wetlands, various water management strategies can be employed. These include reducing groundwater withdrawals during periods of low recharge and balancing water use and submarine groundwater discharge. Numerical models and groundwater modelling can be used to understand and manage saltwater intrusion.
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Frequently asked questions
Feral cat populations in Australia are estimated to be between two and six million. These cats kill around 2 billion animals in Australia annually.
Feral animals in Australia have caused tremendous damage to wildlife and agriculture. They prey on native species, compete for food and shelter, destroy habitats, and spread diseases. Feral cats, in particular, have been implicated in the extinction of at least 20 mammal species and consume a vast number of birds each year.
Some common examples of feral animals in Australia include cats, foxes, rabbits, pigs, horses, deer, goats, water buffalo, and camels. These animals have been introduced to Australia through various means and have established thriving populations.
Controlling feral animals in Australia involves a range of methods, including trapping, baiting, fencing, and shooting. There are also efforts to rehome certain feral animals, such as horses, but this approach has had limited success in reducing their populations. Poison baits are sometimes used as a last resort to reduce feral animal numbers and protect native species.
