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Reports Department of Defence This done, Ferals Out initiated a monitoring program to determine the magnitude of the problem. This data was collected and painted a picture of the type and number of feral animals and how they were gaining access to private lands and livestock. In dealing with the problem, Ferals Out, having been contracted by this private landholder to implement an immediate control program of these pest animals passed on valuable information to Defence Environmental Officer, based on the monitoring data already collected, advice on preventive measures, reducing the likelihood of further impacts occurring was discussed. Ferals Out ascertained the offending pest animals were transiting through neighbouring bushland managed by the Department of Defence. This bushland corridor provides connectivity from adjoining National Parks to suburbia. As impacts did continue (after several wild dogs were removed) a meeting was scheduled with the Department of Defence, Private Landowner and Ferals Out. Dept of Defence then contracted Ferals Out to formulate and implement a feral/Pest Animal Management Program. Several key features attributed to the success of the program were.
NOTE: Chemical control was not considered an option due to the landscape and proximity to residential areas. Department Of Defence, being a responsible landholder, understanding the significance of environmental management practices for the protection of native flora and fauna on their lands, contracted Ferals Out to undertake the above program.
Thirty-six pest animals were removed. Domestic animals were returned to their owners. The results below raise some very interesting questions when you look at the high number of potentially life threatening, higher order predators co-existing at the one site. In this case, there is no evidence to suggest that Wild Dogs controlled Fox and Feral Cat numbers.
An increase in reported sightings of native fauna returning to a natural ecological balance is substantiated by ongoing ground monitoring. Two species of wallaby, long thought to have been eradicated by predation, have recently been identified in this habitat. Dept of Defence are committed to the ongoing preservation of our native fauna/habitat and the effective control of feral pest animals ensuring native wildlife preservation and public safety. BackgroundThis private property is just 6.5 km from Brisbane’s GPO, approximately 50 acres in size and zoned rural residential. Developers continually approach landowner regarding subdivision potential. The landholder also allows horses to be agisted on his property and is aware of his potential liability (problem) should wild dogs harass these animals or their owners and riders. This private property is bordered by older style residential housing on one boundary, new residential development on another and bushland habitat (approximately 800 ha) managed by Dept of Defence to the rear of the property. The private landholder has lived his entire life on this property. He remembers his late father once saw a dingo/wild dog, which was quickly shot. This occurred approximately 35 years ago and no further sightings occurred until December 2001. Where-upon, regular sightings, howling at night, domestic dogs barking and the loss of some livestock eventually spurred the private landowner into action. Ferals Out, commissioned to humanely trap and remove those wild dogs causing problems, caught several animals over a few days. The infestation of these declared pest animals was halted. Due to the ‘quick’ action of the Department Of Defence Officers and adjoining landholders.
The following presentation showcases some of the pest animals caught and their swift and humane euthanasia. Among the feral animals is a domestic cat which was returned unharmed to it's owner thanks to the "Soft Capture" methods used by Ferals Out.
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