Distribution and abundance of pest animals in Western Australia : a survey of institutional knowledge

Data on the distribution and abundance of selected pest animals were obtained for the state of Western Australia. We used institutional knowledge from the Department of Agriculture (DAWA) and the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) to acquire this important information. A two-part survey process was used to capture knowledge in 104 face-to-face interviews. [...]

Echinococcus granulosus in farm dogs and dingoes in south eastern Queensland

Twenty-nine farms with a prevalence of greater than 20% of hydatidosis in cattle were visited in south eastern Queensland between August and December 1982. All farms carried beef cattle but none sheep. Twenty-four had dingoes and wallabies but only 8 had feral pigs. On 17 farms either macropods were killed for dog food or dogs [...]

Two ecological universes separated by the Dingo Barrier Fence in semi-arid Australia: interactions between landscapes, herbivory and carnivory, with and without dingoes

This paper challenges conclusions of Caughley et al. (1980) that the abundance of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) in western New South Wales is solely due to lack of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo), and vice versa for neighbouring South Australia. A Dingo Barrier Fence divides the two different ecological systems, which have sheep in New South [...]

Distribution and Abundance of Feral Liverstock in the ‘Top End’ of the Northern Territory (1985-86), and Their Relation to Population Control

Feral and domestic livestock (buffalo, cattle, horses and donkeys) were censused by fixed-wing aerial survey over the ‘Top End’ of the Northern Territory (above the 16th parallel) in March-April 1985, encompassing 223 672 km2 (16.7% of the Territory). The mean sampling rate on the major coastal lowland (38 281 km2) was 7.3%, and that for [...]

The role of wild animals in the spread of exotic diseases in Australia

The distributions of the following feral animals are given — cattle, buffalo, pig, goat, deer, camel, horse, donkey, fox, dog and cat — and the native dingo. The possible role these and the native rodents, marsupials and monotremes would play should an exotic disease of livestock enter Australia is discussed. It is considered that feral [...]

Fighting Feral Pigs

It is estimated about 23 million feral pigs inhabit the Australian mainland inflicting $106.5 million of damages annually on our nation’s agriculture industry. Wreaking havoc amongst our nation’s rural properties, Feral Pigs eat and damage crops and pasture as well as fencing. They are also carnivores and are known to kill and eat up to [...]

Serological survey for Brucella antibodies in feral pigs from eastern Australia

Brucella suis is an enzootic disease of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in central Queensland. Feral pigs infected with B suis may infect domestic pigs, and area a source of infection for cattle herds. In addition, brucellosis is an important disease of man, and infection is strongly linked with those involved in the dressing and handling [...]

The behavioural ecology of dingoes in North-western Australia. III. Hunting and feeding behaviour, and diet

Observations from aerial radio-tracking were used together with analysis of scat and stomach samples to investigate the feeding ecology of dingoes, Canis familiaris dingo, on the lower Fortescue River in Western Australia. Between 1977 and 1984, 1948 records of hunting and feeding were obtained, and 352 scats and 119 stomachs were collected. Dingoes preyed predominantly [...]

Behavioural patterns of possums and cattle which may facilitate the transmission of tuberculosis

The main aim of this work is to investigate behavioural factors in possums and cattle that may facilitate transmission of tuberculosis between and within these species. The study site is part of a commercial sheep and beef cattle farm in the Wairarapa, with a long term problem of TB in the cattle. Investigations include: observational [...]

Advances in New Zealand Mammalogy 1990-2000: Feral livestock

This review describes the distribution of feral cattle, goats and sheep in New Zealand. Included is a full distribution of the behaviour, population dynamics and significance of feral goats to the New Zealand environment.

Wild dog

Wild dogs are declared animals under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (Qld) and as such all land owners in Queensland are required to reduce the number of wild dogs on their properties. The term wild dog refers collectively to purebred dingoes, dingo hybrids and domestic dogs that have escaped or [...]

Blue Mountains National Park – Pest animals and weeds

Provides a description of weeds and pest animals in Blue Mountains National Park, briefly outlines what you can do to help minimise pest impacts, and discusses current pest control programs.

Economic assessment of the impact of dingoes/wild dogs in Queensland

A study was commissioned by NR&M and undertaken by Rural Management Partners to estimate the cost of wild dogs and dingoes to Queensland’s rural industries, particularly the grazing industry. The major findings of the report include: wild dogs cost the state $33 million per year in livestock losses, diseases spread and control there are also [...]

Rabbits, goats and the growth and regeneration of arid zone perennial vegetation.

Compared with short-lived plants, trees and shrubs contribute disproportionately to landscape and ecosystem stability in the arid zone because of their perennial nature and drought resistance. The introduction of exotic herbivores however, has led to the suppression of the regeneration of many trees and shrubs, threatening their long term survival. The herbivores responsible for this [...]

Grazing Management Demonstration

The major aim of this project is to gain evidence of the impacts of rabbits, sheep, cattle and kangaroos on the three major land types to be found within the Marree Soil Board District, ie: -flood out country, Stony tablelands and Chenopod shrubs. The implementation of improved grazing strategies will result in reduced land degradation [...]

Vaccination of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) against Mycobacterium bovis infection with bacille Calmette- Guerin: the response to multiple doses

In New Zealand, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the principal wildlife vector of bovine tuberculosis. Control of infected possum populations contributes to the control of tuberculosis in domestic livestock. Vaccination is potentially a com

The role of modelling in policy and control decisions

The epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infections

Mycobacterium bovis has an exceptionally wide host range, but until recent years there was little concern about infection in species other than cattle and man. Diversification of farming enterprises has led to cognizance of the need for control in other d

The aetiology and pathogenesis of Johne’s disease

Intracellular iron (Fe) storage and enteropathic changes were studied histologically in the bovine, ovine and caprine intestinal tract. Comparative studies were made on natural or experimental diseases caused by M. bovis in cattle and the brush-tailed pos

Opportunity costs related to feral horses: A Wyoming case study