 The CEO yarn
The Australian Biosecurity Symposium is really starting to take shape and hot off the press we are pleased to let you know the draft program has just been finalised and available on the symposium website - https://www.biosym.com.au/program. It now includes the list of speakers during the concurrent sessions as well as keynote speakers.
With more than 170 abstracts received, clearly there is a lot of interest in this topic and the symposium is a great opportunity to start looking at linkages and connections in the entire biosecurity system. We not only have some great keynote speakers such as Professor Hugh Bradlow from the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, Julia Martin from Chevron Australia and one of our Centre's project leaders Professor Don Hine from the University of New England, but also some really excellent case studies and research innovation looking at how we can future proof our biosecurity system.
What will be really exciting to hear on Day 2 will be the comparisons between the Australian and NZ biosecurity systems which will be presented by Lyn O'Connell who heads Australian Government Biosecurity and Roger Smith who heads Biosecurity NZ.
In collaboration with our co-hosts Animal Health Australia and the Invasive Species Council we look forward to seeing many of you on the Gold Coast in June 2019. If you do want to register and haven't yet done so, please visit the symposium website.
Enjoy this issue of Feral Flyer,
Andreas Glanznig
CEO | Centre for Invasive Species Solutions
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Wild Dog Alert prototype sends first text alerts
The Wild Dog Alert ‘SMS 4G camera trap system’ has been turned on for testing, and in its first night has identified and alerted researchers to potential predators.
This exciting news comes as the team is testing a number of different systems in different Australian environments, and in areas with both good and poor mobile reception.
The Wild Dog Alert project began back in 2016 and is being led by researchers at the University of New England (UNE) and NSW DPI. The Development team at UNE led by Dr Greg Falzon have produced three versions of the system – one using an automated Wild Dog alert system, one using a Buckeye Camera trap system, and this one using the SMS 4G camera trap.
The project currently receives funding through the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Australian Wool Innovation and Meat and Livestock Australia through the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions.
Read our media release
Read this great overview via Rural Weekly
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Feral deer at record numbers in South Australia & potential invasion coming to NSW suburbs
The feral deer problem has been in the media this week with stories highlighting the damage they cause both in South Australia and urban NSW.
According to Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), there are now about 10,000 feral deer in South Australia — the highest number the state has seen. The SA Government has introduced a new feral deer policy that requires landholders to completely destroy all feral deer on their properties.
However according to the Invasive Species Council, the issue is coming to the suburbs too, with deer causing car crashes and near misses and putting public safety at risk.
This is why our Centre, along with its members and partners has invested more than $8.7 million (cash and in kind) to set up Australia's largest deer management research collaboration to ensure we have the best strategies to manage deer into the future.
Read more about the deer issue in SA via ABC News
Read more about the deer issue in Sydney via SMH
Learn more about our Centre's deer management work
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Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) goes from strength to strength
Originally funded through the Invasive Animals CRC, it is really pleasing to see the VRAN go from strength to strength in ensuring landholders across the state are getting the skills they need to effectively manage rabbits in a strategic manner.
The most recent series of Bootcamps were held in late March at the now infamous 'Ned's Corner" with 20 landholders learning about best practice and integrated rabbit management strategies in an area that has been successfully managing rabbits for multiple decades.
Watch a short video about the program via the VRAN website
Read this great review from Strathbogie Landholders
(image used from Agriculture Victoria Facebook page)
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Federal budget devotes $27.5 million to controlling pest ants
As part of a national program to tackle three separate ant related issues within Australia, there was an allocation of $27.5 million set aside in the Federal Budget last week to support pest ant management, containment and eradication programs.
According to the Invasive Species Council, if not eradicated the "impacts of red fire ants in Australia will surpass the combined damage done each year by our worst pests: feral cats, wild dogs, foxes, camels, rabbits and cane toads."
However Red Fire Ants aren't the only issue, with Yellow Crazy Ants also on the target list.
Read more via SBS News
(image by Alex Wild)
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South Australia announces new pest animal coordinators
Thanks to Australian Government funding through the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, South Australia has recently brought on board three pest animal coordinators, Marty Bower, Josh Rosser and Jen Gills to coordinate and engage landholders in pest animal management programs within the state.
- Marty is the SA Wild Dog Control Coordinator (and is also part funded by AWI).
- Josh is the SA Rabbit Control Coordinator.
- Jen is the SA Deer Control Coordinator.
All three are housed within the Invasive Species Unit of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA).
Find out more about Marty
Find out more about Josh
Find out more about Jen
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Invasive Species Research Scientist wanted in Queensland
A great opportunity is available to join a small research team working on invasive animals and weeds with the Queensland Government.
The desired candidate should have good quantitative and analytical skills, as well as experience in undertaking field ecological research. Simulation and spatial modelling skills would be highly regarded. A major focus will be to lead a multi-disciplinary project to assess the ecological, production and economic impacts of exclusion fencing in western Queensland - one of our Centre's landscape management projects.
Applications close soon - April 18th, just before the Easter break!
Find out more about the position
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Draft ACT Cat Plan out for discussion
From 6 April to 28 June 2019 the ACT Government is asking how the community can better manage cats in the Territory, and have launched a Draft plan, which is now out for discussion and feedback.
The draft plan covers a range of issues such as:
- responsible pet ownership
- reducing risks to human health.
- reducing impacts of feral cats
- protecting wildlife from cat predation
- managing unowned cats in public places
- cat desexing
- cat containment.
Have your say on the Plan
(image by L Deutscher)
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Australia's faunal extinction crisis - inquiry
On 27 June 2018, the Senate referred Australia's faunal extinction crisis for inquiry to the Environment and Communications Reference Committee.
The Committee received 420 submissions into the inquiry and are still gathering all the information from the submissions and site visits, the committee went on.
The Committee released an interim report, last week, which has initially outlined a need for new environmental laws and a federal environmental protection agency. The full report is due to be released in November 2019.
Read the interim report
(image by John O'Neill)
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Early invader 'weed' manual released by Victorian Government
A new "Early invader manual" has been released by the Victorian Government as a tool to assist public land & biodiversity managers with management of early invader environmental weeds. It's packed with templates & useful tips.
By following the step-by-step information in the series of guides, public land managers can improve their decision making to plan and undertake work.
Download the manual
(image by Peter Tremain)
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Designing behaviour change interventions for invasive animal control: A practical guide
As part of our Community Engagement theme, University of New England researchers have developed this practical guide for practitioners who are developing and delivering intervention strategies related to invasive animals.
The guide outlines a systematic approach for developing behaviour change interventions, so that policymakers, scientists and engagement specialists can better connect with their target audiences to improve participation rates and hence the effectiveness of management programs.
Download the guide via PestSmart
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FoxNet: a model framework to support strategic fox management
Unsurprisingly, recent research by the University of Melbourne has found that when fox control programs aren’t strategic, fox numbers can quickly recover.
The researchers collaborated with Parks Victoria, the Victorian Government’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the Threatened Species Recovery Hub of the National Environmental Science Program to create a computer-based tool to address this.
The decision-support tool, FoxNet, simulates fox populations across realistic landscapes, with different habitat types. Land managers can use it to test different bait station layouts, frequencies and timings.
This research paper presents four case‐study models to verify FoxNet outputs, explore key sensitivities and demonstrate the framework's utility as a management planning tool.
View the original research
Read a summary of the research via the Threatened Species Recovery Hub
(image by Mary Anne Addington)
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Monitoring mice in Australia - April 2019 update
Mouse numbers are currently very low, and are unlikely to increase further as breeding finishes. It is unlikely that economic damage will occur at sowing (except Geraldton area in WA).
There is also a low risk of damage of crops at sowing. Mouse numbers and activity will peak soon when breeding finishes.
The current advice from the CSIRO mouse monitoring team is that growers should walk through paddocks and actively monitor mouse activity (mouse chew cards or active burrow counts). There is always a chance of isolated patches of higher mouse activity.
1. Reduce alternative food sources and cover .
2. Bait with zinc phosphide.
3. manage over large areas by coordinating with neighbours.
4. Monitor for signs of mouse activity and report activity into MouseAlert.
Read the full update on PestSmart, provided by the CSIRO
(image by J Farrell)
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The case for embedding researchers in conservation agencies
This paper highlights the need to embed research scientists within conservation management agencies to ensure evidence based management practices.
It delves into three main categories:
- the benefits of embedded science for effective evidence‐based conservation within management agencies;
- the challenges and opportunities associated with institutionalising the embedding model; and
- the research required to understand the effectiveness of embedding research scientists for evidence‐based conservation.
It is co-authored by one of the Invasive Animals CRC balanced researcher PhD students, Katrina Dickson.
View the original research
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Sharper eyes see shyer lizards: Collaboration with indigenous peoples can alter the outcomes of conservation research
This interesting study looked at whether goannas would be less enticed to feast on adult cane toads if they ingested small doses of cane toad toxin which made them sick, but didn't kill them.
The University of Sydney scientists partnered with indigenous rangers, who helped them capture goannas in the region.
They noted that the rangers were finding goannas in different areas to what the Sydney based scientists were - due to their local knowledge of the area.
They were able to conclude from the larger subset of goannas, that those goannas who were 'shyer' and essentially living in longer grass and rocks (where they were to known hide by the indigenous rangers), were less likely to eat the cane toads anyway, as they were more cautious.
It's a fascinating study, showcasing the importance of using local knowledge and culture within scientific methodology.
View the original research
(image by Matt Mo)
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Marcus Pickett Ecological Services
Marcus is a small-scale vertebrate pest manager using ground-based shooting, principally in the Mount Lofty Ranges and nearby areas of South Australia, focusing on feral animal control (chiefly feral goats and feral deer) in sensitive environments or difficult terrain and/or where biodiversity conservation outcomes are paramount. He can also undertake vertebrate pest surveys and assessments (birds, goats, deer, etc.).
He is a sole trader based in Adelaide Hills with over 25 years professional experience in flora and fauna conservation more broadly.
Visit the profile
Add your community group to PestSmart
Want your group highlighted in a future issue? Email us here
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Victorian Weeds Conference 2019
7-8 May 2019, Echuca, VIC
View event information
2019 QLD Pest Animal and Weeds Symposium
20-23 May 2019, Gold Coast, QLD
View event information
2019 Australian Biosecurity Symposium
12-13 June 2019, Gold Coast, QLD
View event information
Australian Mammal Society Conference
7-11 July 2019, Sydney, NSW
View event information
20th NSW Weeds Conference
26-29 August 2019, Newcastle, NSW
View event information
Australian Rangelands Conference 2019
2-5 September 2019, Canberra, ACT
View event information
Holding an event in 2019 and want your event highlighted in a future issue? Email us here
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