Invasive Animals

[Irrev-Black]

Burmese pythons have really taken hold in Florida. Apparently even alligators are in danger.

And cheers for the deaf science teacher!

Of course PETA protests. It's what they do.

[Irrev-Black]

Deen Mar, an island 8km off Victoria, has a severe rabbit problem, and action is being taken.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-05/ ... /102672310

[Irrev-Black]

And Melbourne's got all kinds of pesty mammals.

Research indicates that invasive species numbers will grow dramatically unless further action is taken.

Agriculture Victoria figures show fox numbers have reached about 16 per square kilometre in Melbourne, compared to between four and eight per square kilometre in agricultural regions.

A report by the CSIRO found rabbits, first introduced in Geelong, had infested two-thirds of Australia. And the Invasive Species Council estimates deer numbers have reached about 1 million in Victoria alone.

The council’s deer project officer, Peter Jacobs, said deer were doing extensive damage to sensitive natural habitats, gardens and farmland while posing a danger on roads where they are often hit by cars.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/nation ... 5dtbt.html

[Irrev-Black]

Sending the brumbies good thoughts isn't working. It might be a return to aerial shooting in Kosciuszko.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-07/ ... /102697020

[Irrev-Black]

Sending the brumbies good thoughts isn't working. It might be a return to aerial shooting in Kosciuszko.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-07/ ... /102697020

Please make a submission. People in any State/Territory can do this.

https://invasives.org.au/how-to-help/ta ... ubmission/

[Irrev-Black]

"Deer are the new rabbits" and the Feds have a plan.

Culls, containment, and disturbance all have a part to play.

Hope it works.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/enviro ... 5dwa0.html

[Irrev-Black]

Seeing both hares and rabbits are found in my immediate area (though a bit of my observing and reporting work, and action from the local bunny board, seem to have eradicated the warrens within a close walk of my place), I thought I'd check on the impact of hares.

It's not as pronounced as the total landscape slaughter of which rabbits are capable, but can be significant.

European hares can cause significant damage by gnawing the bark of young trees and shrubs. Hares also chew the stems off young trees, which damages or kills the plant. This makes hare particularly problematic at revegetation sites.

European hares are opportunistic feeders that predominantly graze on grasses, but they also consume crops, such as vegetables, lucerne and cereal. This can cause significant economic losses to landowners. Hares can also travel significant distances, so the potential for one animal to cause widespread damage to plants is high. European hares can also be a problem in forestry, ornamental and fruit producing plantations as they often gnaw the bark of young trees and vines leading to ringbarking and death of the plant.

So, yeah, not as bad as some (H fucking sapiens for example), but not desirable.

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecur ... opean-hare

I also note that the calicivirus which is released to control rabbits does not infect hares.

https://pestsmart.org.au/toolkits/hares/

[Irrev-Black]

Discouraging foxes via the Puke Option.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2023- ... /102757594

[Irrev-Black]

Plibersek moots action on cats.

Another 48 native species including butterflies, geckos and crayfish have been added to Australia’s list of wildlife at risk of annihilation, spurring a new plan to cut the deadly feral cat population and exposing the challenge of delivering the government’s pledge to stop extinctions.

The draft cat plan released by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to mark National Threatened Species Day on Thursday is “declaring war on feral cats”. Her first step is seeking feedback on curfews for pet cats to be inside at night, desexing requirements and a household limit on number of cats.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politi ... 5e2gc.html

[Irrev-Black]

Like it or not, when it comes to culling invasive large pests, Death From Above gets the numbers.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/enviro ... 5e9cu.html