Invasive species

A tough new product has been launched in the fight against the potentially nationwide spread of the invasive Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA), while one expert warns that care should be taken to minimise the risk to other species and the environment from all fire ant treatments.

WA desperately needs a unified biosecurity authority, one that merges the resources and expertise of DPIRD and DBCA under a single, competent Minister. Such an authority would eliminate bureaucratic overlap, create a cohesive strategy, and launch the kind of public education campaign sorely needed to tackle threats like the shot-hole borer.

Growing feral deer populations across NSW have prompted Local Land Services (LLS) to highlight the safety and environmental risks to the community. Five introduced species of feral deer have established populations throughout the state including in urban areas where they can be harder to control and have even greater human health and social impacts.

A new venture, Oxitec Australia, is taking on two of the deadliest virus-carrying mosquitos in the Pacific region – Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus – to fight the spread of diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, which claims hundreds of thousands of lives globally each year.  Launched today, Oxitec Australia is a collaboration between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and UK-based Oxitec Ltd, the leading developer of biological solutions to control pests.    

Churchill Fellow Dean Gilligan discusses with ARR.News the conservation of Edgbaston Springs in the Great Artesian Basin, key threats to springs ecosystems, such as invasive pest fish, and how he hopes his research in Ash Meadows in the USA and Cuarto Cienegas in Mexico will inform the management of Australia's endangered springs ecosystems.

Mrs McArthur highlighted the severe impact of these changes, pointing out that “Victoria’s parks, like everything else beyond the tram tracks, are a low priority. Even when the government had money, Parks Victoria was not a priority” … in the past three years, the area treated for invasive species and pest control has fallen by 33 per cent.

The South Australian Feral Deer Eradication Program has achieved a significant milestone with more than 20,000 deer now removed from across the state. Feral deer are regarded as one of Australia’s worst pest animals in both rural and peri-urban areas and removing them significantly improves outcomes for primary producers and the natural environment.

The National Farmers’ Federation warns that the Federal Government’s dismal response to the Red Imported Fire Ant Senate Inquiry Report will come back to bite ... “It appears the Government is underestimating this pest. Red fire ants pose a mammoth risk not only to farming, but to humans, animals, plants and the quintessential Aussie backyard barbecue”: NFF Sustainable Development and Climate Change Committee Chair Angus Atkinson.

Tasmanian farmers continue to take wildlife management seriously as new data released by Primary Industries and Water Minister Jane Howlett reveals that 1,373 Property Protection Permits were issued in the 2023-24 financial year. TasFarmers President Ian Sauer said farmers support the government's approach to addressing surging wildlife populations, including deer and wallabies…

Queensland’s agriculture sector and local councils have united in a powerful call-to-action, urging the state government to prioritise biosecurity. With growing biosecurity risks on the horizon, industry and community leaders have called on the government to work with agriculture to develop and implement an effective plan, backed by an investment commitment, that will safeguard the future of our farms, environment, and economy.

National preparedness to manage future incursions of Asian black-spined toads into Australia has been strengthened with today’s launch of the National Preparedness Plan: Asian Black-Spined Toad by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Andreas Glanznig, CEO of the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, said the Plan provides a valuable roadmap for governments to prevent, plan and respond to a possible Asian black-spined toad incursion.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) Native Fish Recovery Program is hosting the popular event on Gunbower Creek at the Gateway Information Centre end of Garden Park on Sunday, October 27. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be heaps of prizes based on the size and number of carp caught, as well as water bug activities, colouring tents, turtle and native fish displays, and a free lunch.

Aerial baiting is one of the tactics used to reduce wild dog populations. This time though, instead of using fresh meat to bait the dogs, a bait called DOGGONE will be trialled. The Eyes on the Rim project will monitor wild dogs and their impact on endangered species.

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board says it has not received any feedback that low-flying helicopters have impacted spring lambing or calving. The board also says it has not received any complaints its letters to farmers from its lawyer are threatening.

Residents of South Hay have been surprised by the sudden appearance of a deer in the street. The animal was spotted in Lang Street, hopping from garden to garden, though the grounds of Comfort Inn Bishop's Lodge Motel, before heading along the busy Sturt Highway.

"The decision is a massive win for common sense and community voices ... Narrow-minded sectional groups will still claim these dogs are dingoes but for people who have seen them up close they know the truth. The order talks about dingoes but as most already know this order allows dog men to control wild dogs – hybrid killing machines, dingo and domestic crossbreds – on the edge of farmland": Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley.

Rosalie Auricht. The states in the Murray-Darling Basin have been arguing, seemingly forever, about how to look after and share the rivers ... At the MDBA River Reflections conference in Albury, the audience was asked to explore ‘what does a healthy river mean to you?’ ... "no carp, native fish are increasing in abundance, and no dead fish ..."

Once again, it was a case of act first, think later... If there were medals to be won for that trait, I could compete for Australia. It’s been a failing all my life and has, many times, got me into hot water. A nest of wasps appeared, the little European devils imported along with sparrows, rabbits, foxes and prickly pear from other places to be total pests to us Aussies ...

The National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program is proud to announce the upcoming launch of its new website on Threatened Species Day, 7 September. This significant day marks the anniversary of the death of the last known Tasmanian tiger in 1936 and serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to Australia’s unique wildlife.

Yellow Crazy Ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) – which are now established in Australia –are  one of the worst invasive species on Earth ... “A truly proactive approach involves everyone affected and in areas potentially affective taking control into their own hands to proactively eliminate at a local level all known and potential threats, such as ants being carried further afield on machinery and vehicles”: David Priddy, Sundew CEO.

A national pest eradication expert says the news that Queensland is more than doubling the Red Imported Fire Ant eradication zone highlights the need for residents to be equipped with site-specific self-treatment products to combat known outbreaks ... There have been several fire ant incursions since 2001, and all those outbreaks were eradicated. “That tells us eradication is possible. We have the people and the know-how to make fire ant eradication a reality”: David Priddy, Sundew CEO.