List of exotic animals in Australia subject to risk assessment

Definition of Vertebrate Pests Committee Threat Categories

(from Guidelines for the Import, Movement and Keeping of Exotic Vertebrates in Australia – 2003).

To assign an exotic species to a threat category, three risk scores are calculated: the risk that (1) an escaped or released individual would harm people, (2) escaped or released individuals would establish a wild free-living population (3) the species would be a pest if a wild population did establish. These three risk scores are then used to assign the exotic species to one of four threat categories: extreme, serious, moderate or low (see table below). For further information about the risk assessment method used, please see Risk Assessment for the Import and Keeping of Exotic Vertebrates in Australia (Bomford, 2003) and Risk Assessment Models for Establishment of Exotic Vertebrates in Australia and New Zealand (Bomford 2008).

E – Extreme Threat Category
These animals should not be allowed to enter, nor be kept in any State or Territory. (Special consideration may be given to scientific institutions on a case by case basis.) Any species that has not been assessed previously should be considered to be in the Extreme Threat Category and should be treated accordingly, until a risk assessment is conducted.

S – Serious Threat Category
These animals may be introduced and/or should be kept only in collections approved by the relevant State/Territory authority as being primarily kept for (1) public display and education purposes, and/or for (2) genuine scientific research approved by the relevant State/Territory authority, and as meeting Best Practice for the purposes of keeping the species concerned.

M – Moderate Threat Category
These animals should be restricted to collections approved and registered by the relevant State/Territory authority for the keeping of Moderate Threat Species. States/Territories may continue to impose any additional restrictions on acquisition and keeping of Moderate Threat Species.

L – Low Threat Category
Animals which, relative to other species, have a low risk of becoming a problem for the environment, primary industry or public safety.

ANIMALS LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY SCIENTIFIC NAME

Class	Order/Family	Common Name	Scientific Name	Threat Category for Australia; ERR- Establishment Risk Rank for Aust	Date assessment agreed by VPC
Aves	Passeriformes, Sturnidae	Myna, Common; Indian Myna(h); Indian House Myna(h)	Acridotheres tristis	EXTREME	22/04/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Lovebird, Peach-faced	Agapornis roseicollis	SERIOUS	5/04/2004
Mammalia	Carnivora,Ursidae	Panda, Giant	Ailuropoda melanoleuca	LOW	21/09/2005
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Aboina Parrot; Moluccan King-parrot	Alisterus amboinensis	SERIOUS	1/09/2008
Aves	Anseriformes, Anatidae	Goose, Egyptian	Alopochen aegyptiacus	EXTREME	5/04/2004
Aves	Passeriformes, Estrildidae	Munia, Red; Red Strawberry Finch; Red or Indian Avadavat; Tiger Finch; Red Waxbill	Amandava amandava	EXTREME	5/04/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Amazon, Cuban; Cuban Parrot	Amazona leucocephala	SERIOUS	13/05/2006
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Yellow-crowned Amazon; Yellow-headed Amazon; Yellow-fronted Amazon; Yellow-naped Amazon	Amazona ochrocephala	EXTREME	13/06/2006
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Amazon, Yellow-naped	Amazona ocrocephala auropalliata	EXTREME	1/03/2004
Amphibia	Caudata, Ambystomatidae	Western Tiger Salamander	Ambystoma mavortium	SERIOUS ERR	10/03/2009
Amphibia	Caudata, Ambystomatidae	Axolotl; Mexican Walking Fish	Ambystoma mexicanum	-	ON HOLD
Aves	Anseriformes, Anatidae	Duck, Mallard; Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	EXTREME	22/04/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Macaw, Hyacinth	Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus	EXTREME	13/05/2006
Aves	Anseriformes, Anatidae	Goose, Swan; Chinese Goose	Anser cygnoides	MODERATE	21/08/2005
Mammalia	Carnivora, Mustelidae	Oriental Small-clawed Otter	Aonyx cinereus	SERIOUS	11/11/2008
Aves	Apterygiformes, Apterygidae	Kiwi, Brown	Apteryx australis	LOW	28/12/2005
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Macaw, Red-fronted	Ara rubrogenys	MODERATE	21/09/2005
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Sun Conure; Sun Parakeet	Aratinga solstitialis	LOW	31/01/2007
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Cervidae	Chital Deer; Axis Deer	Axis axis	EXTREME	2/06/2008
Aves	Anseriformes, Anatidae	New Zealand Scaup	Aythya novaeseelandiae	MODERATE	13/05/2006
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Suidae	Babirusa	Babyrousa babyrussa	MODERATE	31/01/2007
Aves	Gruiformes, Gruidae	Crane, Grey-crowned	Balearica regulorum	MODERATE	12/08/2006
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Bison, American	Bison bison	EXTREME	25/01/2006
Reptilia	Squamata, Viperidae	Puff Adder	Bitis arietans	SERIOUS ERR	11/12/2008
Reptilia	Squamata, Viperidae	Rhinoceros Viper	Bitis nasicornis	-	ON HOLD
Reptilia	Squamata, Boidae	Boa Constrictor	Boa constrictor	EXTREME ERR	11/12/2008
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Banteng Cattle	Bos javanicus	EXTREME	31/01/2007
Aves	Anseriformes, Anatidae	Canada Goose	Branta canadensis	EXTREME	5/04/2004
Amphibia	Anura, Bufonidae	Cane Toad; Giant Toad	Bufo marinus	EXTREME ERR	29/06/2009
Amphibia	Anura, Bufonidae	Black-spined Toad	Bufo melanostictus	SERIOUS ERR	24/08/2009
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	White Cockatoo	Cacatua alba	MODERATE	1/03/2004
Mammalia	Primates/ Callitrichidae	Marmoset, Common; White-tufted-ear Marmoset	Callithrix jacchus	EXTREME	16/08/2004
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Camelidae	Camel, Bactrian	Camelus bactrianus	EXTREME	31/01/2007
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Camelidae	Camel, Feral	Camelus dromedarius	EXTREME	31/01/2007
Mammalia	Carnivora/ Canidae	Black-backed Jackal	Canis mesomelas	EXTREME	16/08/2004
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Feral Goat	Capra hircus	EXTREME	31/01/2007
Aves	Passeriformes, Fringillidae	Goldfinch; Eurasian Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	EXTREME	31/05/2004
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Cervidae	Red Deer; Wapiti; Elk	Cervus elaphus	EXTREME	10/03/2009
Mammalia	Artiodactyla/ Cervidae	Rusa Deer; Timor Deer	Cervus timorensis	EXTREME	21/09/2005
Mammalia	Xenarthra/ Dasypodidae	Big Hairy Armadillo; Large Hairy Armadillo	Chaetophractus villosus	SERIOUS	16/08/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Brown Lory	Chalcopsitta duivenbodei	MODERATE	1/09/2008
Amphibia	Anura, Rhacophoridae	Romer’s Tree Frog	Chirixalus romeri	SERIOUS ERR	29/06/2009
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Bobwhite Quail; Northern Bobwhite	Colinus virginianus	EXTREME	1/03/2004
Reptilia	Squamata, Boidae	Emerald Tree Boa	Corallus caninus	-	ON HOLD
Aves	Passeriformes, Corvidae	House Crow; Indian or Ceylon Crow	Corvus splendens	EXTREME	31/05/2004
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Japanese Quail	Coturnix japonica	MODERATE	1/03/2004
Reptilia	Testudines, Geoemydidae	Chinese Three-striped Box Turtle	Cuora trifasciata	-	ON HOLD
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Cervidae	Fallow Deer	Dama dama	EXTREME	24/03/2009
Mammalia	Diprotodontia, Marcopodidiae	Grey Dorcopsis	Dorcopsis luctuosa	MODERATE	11/12/2008
Reptilia	Squamata, Colubridae	Corn Snake	Elaphe guttata	-	ON HOLD
Reptilia	Squamata, Colubridae	Striped Trinket Snake; Stripe-tailed Rat Snake; Taiwan Beauty Snake to Beauty Snake	Elaphe taeniura	-	ON HOLD
Mammalia	Perissodactyla, Equidae	Burchell’s Zebra	Equus burchelli	EXTREME	12/12/2004
Mammalia	Insectivora, Erinaceidae	Western European Hedgehog	Erinaceus europaeus	EXTREME	25/01/2006
Aves	Passeriformes, Estrildidae	Common Waxbill; St Helena Waxbill	Estrilda astrild	EXTREME	1/03/2004
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Green Junglefowl	Gallus varius	LOW	28/12/2005
Mammalia	Carnivora, Ursidae	Malayan Sun Bear; Sun Bear	Helarctos malayanus	EXTREME	10/04/2008
Reptilia	Testudines, Geoemydidae	Spiny Turtle	Heosemys spinosa	-	ON HOLD
Mammalia	Rodentia/ Hystricidae	Crested Porcupine; North African Crested Porcupine	Hystrix cristata	EXTREME	16/08/2004
Amphibia	Anura, Microhylidae	Malayan Narrow-mouthed Toad; Indian Bullfrog; Beautiful Kaloula; Asiatic Painted Frog	Kaloula pulchra	SERIOUS ERR	24/08/2009
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Lechwe	Kobus leche	SERIOUS	31/01/2007
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Camelidae	Llama	Lama glama	EXTREME	31/01/2007
Mammalia	Artiodactyla/ Camelidae	Guanaco	Lama guanicoe	EXTREME	16/08/2004
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Camelidae	Alpaca	Lama pacos	EXTREME	31/01/2007
Aves	Passeriformes, Muscicapidae	Silver-eared Mesia	Leiothrix argentauris	EXTREME	12/08/2006
Aves	Passeriformes, Muscicapidae	Pekin Robin; Red-billed Leiothrix	Leiothrix lutea	SERIOUS	22/04/2004
Mammalia	Primates, Callitrichidae	Golden Lion Tamarin	Leontopithecus rosalia	MODERATE	22/06/2009
Mammalia	Lagomorpha, Leporidae	Snowshoe Hare	Lepus americanus	EXTREME	16/07/2007
Mammalia	Lagomorhpa, Leporidae	European Hare	Lepus europaeus	EXTREME	11/12/2009
Aves	Passeriformes, Sturnidae	Bali Myna or Starling	Leucopsar rothschildi	MODERATE	1/09/2008
Aves	Passeriformes, Estrildidae	African Silverbill	Lonchura cantans	SERIOUS	1/03/2004
Aves	Passeriformes, Estrildidae	Black-headed Munia; Black-headed Nun	Lonchura malacca	EXTREME	1/03/2004
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Himalayan Monal Pheasant; Impeyan Pheasant	Lophophorus impejanus	LOW	13/05/2006
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Siamese Fireback Pheasant	Lophura diardi	MODERATE	10/02/2006
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Edwards Pheasant	Lophura edwardsi	MODERATE	10/02/2006
Aves	Passeriformes, Psittacidae	Yellow-bibbed Lory	Lorius chlorocercus	MODERATE	10/03/2006
Aves	Passeriformes, Psittacidae	Chattering Lory	Lorius garrulus	MODERATE	1/09/2008
Aves	Passeriformes, Psittacidae	Black-capped Lory	Lorius lory	MODERATE	1/09/2008
Mammalia	Carnivora, Canidae	Dog, African Hunting; African Wild Dog; Wild Dog	Lycaon pictus	EXTREME	12/12/2004
Mammalia	Carnivora, Felidae	Eurasian Lynx	Lynx lynx	EXTREME	2/06/2008
Amphibia	Anura, Megophryidae	Javan Horned Frog	Megophrys montana	-	ON HOLD
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Razor-billed Curassow	Mitu tuberosa	LOW	28/12/2005
Mammalia	Carnivora, Mustelidae	Ermine; Stoat	Mustela erminea	EXTREME	11/12/2008
Mammalia	Carnivora, Mustelidae	Ferret; Domestic Ferret	Mustela putorius furo	EXTREME	25/01/2006
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Monk Parakeet; Quaker Parrot	Myiopsitta monachus	EXTREME	22/04/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Nanday Conure	Nandayus nenday	EXTREME	1/03/2004
Mammalia	Carnivora/ Canidae	Racoon Dog; Racoon-dog	Nyctereutes procyonoides	EXTREME	16/08/2004
Mammalia	Lagomorpha, Leporidae	European Rabbit (wild rabbit only with wild-type brown colouring; not domestic or commercial breed)	Oryctolagus cuniculus	EXTREME	22/06/2009
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Damara sheep breed	Ovis aries	LOW ERR	22/06/2009
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Domestic sheep (no breeds distinguished)	Ovis aries	EXTREME	22/06/2009
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Dorper sheep breed	Ovis aries	MODERATE ERR	22/06/2009
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Merino sheep breed	Ovis aries	MODERATE ERR	22/06/2009
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Bovidae	Domestic sheep’s ancestor – mouflon	Ovis orientalis	LOW ERR	22/06/2009
Aves	Passeriformes, Estrildidae	Java Sparrow; Paddy Finch	Padda oryzivora	SERIOUS	22/04/2004
Mammalia	Carnivora, Felidae	Leopard	Panthera pardus	EXTREME	21/09/2005
Aves	Passeriformes, Ploceidae	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	EXTREME	31/05/2004
Mammalia	Artiodactyla/ Tayassuidae	Collared Pecari	Pecari tajacu	EXTREME	31/05/2004
Mammalia	Rodentia, Pedetidae	Spring Hare	Pedetes capensis	EXTREME	21/09/2005
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Ring-necked Pheasant; Common Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	EXTREME	31/05/2004
Aves	Ciconiiformes, Phoenicopteridae	Chilean Flamingo	Phoenicopterus chilensis	SERIOUS	21/09/2005
Aves	Ciconiiformes, Phoenicopteridae	Greater Flamingo	Phoenicopterus ruber	EXTREME	21/09/2005
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Palawan Peacock-pheasant	Polyplectron emphanum	SERIOUS	1/09/2008
Mammalia	Carnivora, Felidae	Fishing Cat	Prionailurus viverrinus	EXTREME	10/04/2008
Mammalia	Carnivora, Procyonidae	Common Raccoon; Northern Raccoon	Procyon Iotor	EXTREME	12/12/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Dusky Lory	Pseudeos fuscata	MODERATE	1/03/2004
Aves	Passeriformes, Corvidae	Brown Jay	Psilorhinus morio	MODERATE	21/09/2005
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Alexandrine Parakeet	Psittacula eupatria	EXTREME	1/03/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Rose-ringed Parakeet; Indian or African Ringneck Parrot or Parakeet	Psittacula krameri	EXTREME	22/04/2004
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Grey Parrot; African Grey Parrot	Psittacus erithacus	MODERATE	20/04/2004
Aves	Passeriformes, Psittacidae	Red-whiskered Bulbul	Pycnonotus jocosus	SERIOUS	8/05/2010
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Maroon-bellied Conure	Pyrrhura frontalis	SERIOUS	28/12/2005
Amphibia	Anura, Ranidae	African Bullfrog	Pyxicephalus adspersus	SERIOUS ERR	24/08/2009
Reptilia	Squamata, Typhlopidae	Flowerpot Snake; Brahminy blindsnake; Bootlace Snake	Ramphotypholps braminus	EXTREME ERR	29/06/2009
Mammalia	Rodentia, Muridae	Pacific Rat; Polynesian Rat	Rattus exulans	EXTREME	3/02/2011
Aves	Rheiformes, Rheidae	Greater Rhea	Rhea americana	SERIOUS	21/09/2005
Aves	Columbiformes, Columbidae	Collared Dove; Collared Turtle-dove; Indian Ring Dove; Barbary Dove (fawn or white variations)	Streptopelia decaocto	EXTREME	22/04/2004
Aves	Columbiformes, Columbidae	African Collared Dove	Streptopelia roseogrisea	SERIOUS	31/05/2004
Aves	Struthioniformes, Struthionidae	Ostrich	Struthio camelus	SERIOUS	11/12/2008
Aves	Passeriformes, Sturnidae	Common Starling; European Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	EXTREME	1/09/2008
Mammalia	Carnivora, Herpestidae	Meerkat	Suricata suricatta	MODERATE	11/12/2008
Mammalia	Artiodactyla, Suidae	Wild Boar; Feral pig	Sus scrofa	EXTREME	16/07/2007
Mammalia	Primates, Hylobatidae	Siamang	Symphalangus syndactylus	MODERATE	11/12/2008
Aves	Galliformes, Phasianidae	Reeves’ Pheasant	Syrmaticus reevesii	EXTREME	13/05/2006
Amphibia	Caudata, Salamandridae	Rough-skinned Newt	Taricha granulosa	-	ON HOLD
Aves	Cuculiformes, Musophagidae	White-cheeked Turaco	Tauraco leucotis	MODERATE	13/05/2006
Reptilia	Testudines, Emydidae	Ornate Box turtle; Western Box Turtle	Terrapene ornata	SERIOUS ERR	2/06/2008
Reptilia	Testudines, Emydidae	Common Slider; Pond Slider; Yellow-bellied Slider; Red-eared Slider	Trachemys scripta	EXTREME ERR	10/04/2008
Aves	Psittaciformes, Psittacidae	Ornate Lorikeet	Trichoglossus ornatus	MODERATE	5/04/2004
Amphibia	Caudata, Salamandridae	Smooth Newt	Triturus vulgaris	-	ON HOLD
Aves	Passeriformes, Muscicapidae	Common Blackbird; Eurasian Blackbird	Turdus merula	EXTREME	22/04/2004
Aves	Passeriformes, Estrildidae	Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu	Uraeginthus bengalus	SERIOUS	22/04/2004
Aves	Passeriformes, Estrildidae	Violet-eared Waxbill; Common Grenadier	Uraeginthus granatina	MODERATE	22/04/2004
Mammalia	Carnivora, Ursidae	Brown bear; Grizzly bear	Ursus arctos	EXTREME	2/06/2008
Aves	Passeriformes, Emberizidae	Blue-black Grassquit; Jacarini Finch	Volatinia jacarina	SERIOUS	28/12/2005
Mammalia	Carnivora, Canidae	Red Fox	Vulpes vulpes	EXTREME	22/06/2009
Aves	Falconiformes, Cathartidae	Andean Condor	Vultur gryphus	MODERATE	21/09/2005
Amphibia	Anura, Pipidae	African Clawed Toad; African Clawed Frog	Xenopus laevis	EXTREME ERR	29/06/2009