invasive animals crc nrm notes 13.1

7/29/2019 Invasive Animals CRC NRM Notes 13.1

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Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Orange NSW 2800

www.invasiveanimals.com

NRMIssue 13, March 2013

Welcome to NRM Notes! The end of March is already here and what a busy

start to 2013 weve all had. Our major pest animal species are still impacting

right across the country although there has been some great work done by

regional groups to minimise their efects. This issue coincidentally has a strong

Easter theme, reporting on many projects that have been focusing on rabbits!

Remember, our newsletter is for you, the local and regional groups who

work so hard to manage pest animal impacts. Sharing our stories is a major

part of working together and achieving pest management across our valuable

landscapes, so lets keep talking! Looking forward to more projects, more stories

and working with you in the future. Have a happy Easter break, Jess and Annette

Contact: Brett Carlsson, AgForce/AWI Wild Dog Coordinator

P: 0428 730 553| E: [email protected]

In this issue:

Notes

P a g e |1The NRM Liaison project is supported by funding from Australian Pest Animal Research Program

managed by Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.

Flinders Shire plan forwild dogs - p1

Cross border rabbit

control - p2

Are you really making

a difference? - p3

New app for photo

monitoring - p4Reef Island rabbit

baiting - p5

Community-based

social marketing - p6

... plus more!

Flinders Shire plan for wild dogs

Jessica Marsh

National NRM Facilitator

P: +61 2 6391 3907

M: 0400 586 060

E: [email protected]

Annette Brown

Project Ofcer

P: +61 2 6391 3917

E:[email protected]

Contact us:

FSWDAG has been established for several years and wanted to take the next step

in effective wild dog management by drafting a management plan created and

driven by the landholders of the shire. Due to increased wild dog numbers and

impacts in the area over the past 5 years, the group were really motivated to put

together a plan. The plan will allow them to assess their current program and

identify possible improvements, to increase their effectiveness with management

activities.

Workshop attendees each received a copy of the Working Plan to Manage Wild

Dogs (Green Book) to assist them with the planning process. A nil tenure

mapping exercise was also used early in the day to allow workshop participants

to identify key wild dog habitat, movement corridors and breeding sites (see

photos, p7).

Overall the workshop was a great success and landholders provided innovative

suggestions on how to improve their program and engage more people in wild

dog control across the shire. A irst draft of the plan has been sent to all members

of FSWDAG for their initial comments and will then be sent out for public

consultation.

In February, Jessica Marsh (National NRM Facilitator) and

Brett Carlsson (AgForce/AWI Wild Dog Coordinator) travelledto Hughenden in Queensland to facilitate a wild dog planning

workshop for the Flinders Shire Wild Dog Advisory Group

(FSWDAG).
http://www.invasiveanimals.com/mailto:jessica.marsh%40dpi.nsw.gov.au?subject=Re%3A%20NRM%20Notesmailto:annette.brown%40dpi.nsw.gov.au?subject=Re%3A%20NRM%20Notesmailto:annette.brown%40dpi.nsw.gov.au?subject=Re%3A%20NRM%20Notesmailto:jessica.marsh%40dpi.nsw.gov.au?subject=Re%3A%20NRM%20Noteshttp://www.invasiveanimals.com/


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Contact: Justine Drew, Team Leader (DEWNR)

P: (08) 8762 9114 | E: [email protected]

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NRM Notes NRM Notes

Contact: Lindell Andrews, EcoKnowledge

P: +61 8 8410 7717 | E: [email protected]

How to really measure

whether youre making a

difference!

Funded by Caring for our Country, Adelaide-

based consultancy EcoKnowledge is currently

undertaking a 2.5 year project to develop a

generic monitoring framework for assessing

the impacts of pest herbivore species on native

vegetation condition and resilience. Building

on the idea that it is better to measure thechange in impact upon vegetation following

management actions, rather than simply

measure the change in pest species abundance,

EcoKnowledge is using activity scoring to link

the localised impacts to the broad-scale pest

herbivore density.

In collaboration with Biosecurity SA and

Biosecurity Qld., the generic framework will

be tested on feral goats, rabbits and feral pigs

across a range of land systems. Although speciic

methodologies will vary between species and

landscapes, a generic framework will allow

funding bodies to better gauge the effectiveness

of pest herbivore management programs.

The project is due for completion in mid-2013,

after which it is hoped a set of guidelines, forboth small and large-scale projects, will become

available for NRM staff to implement in, and use

to evaluate the effectiveness of, future projects.

Furthermore, it is hoped that a training package

will be developed to better assist NRM staff in

implementing the framework.

Do you like to read what the media isreporting about pest animal issues acrossAustralia? Glenn Conroy, Invasive AnimalsCRCs Communications Manager, collatesweekly pest-related media monitoring andis offering you the opportunity to join themailing list.

Some of the latest media stories include: FeralthreathangingoverKakadu - SydneyMorning Herald, 9 March

Bundaberg Regional Councils uniqueapproach to Indian Myna control -Professional Pest Manager

Rabbitbiocontrol beneits toagriculture -ABC Radio 666, 15 March

Nationalplanforwilddog control- RuralWeekly, 12 March

If you would like to receive Glenns weeklyround-up of pest animal media stories, pleasecontact him directly to be added to the list, orif you would like more information.

Invasive animalsin the media

Contact: Glenn Conroy, Communications Manager IA CRC

P: +61 2 6201 2890 | E: [email protected]

Natural Resources South East (SA) has recently

launched a unique cross border multi agency

collaboration project to control rabbits along a

42 km stretch of land north of Bordertown along

the state border and on several arterial roads.

The Strategic biodiversity corridor enhancement

project will focus on increasing native vegetation

and reducing the impacts of rabbits along the

South Australian and Victorian border usingfunding from the Caring for Our Country program.

SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural

Resources (DEWNR) are leading the project with

the cooperation of landholders, local councils and

environmental agencies from both states.

Justine Drew, Team Leader (DEWNR) said the

funding for this project will make a signiicant

difference in reducing the rabbit population,

which the local community has been concerned

about. A holistic and collaborative approach to

rabbit control is what works best. It is not just up

to one landholder or one agency or one biological

control. A best practice rabbit control strategy

will result in greater proits for landholders and

reduced risk to our native vegetation.

Best practice rabbit control is based on scientiic

data and long term monitoring, and is achieved

through a simultaneous and coordinated control

effort by all stakeholders. This includes a landscape-

scale ripping program to destroy warrens across

an area wide enough to prevent re-infestation as

well as other traditional control methods such as

biological control agents, fumigation and baiting

to ensure long term results. DEWNR staff will be

working directly with landholders in the project

area and with their Victorian colleagues. A best

practice rabbit control demonstration day is

planned for November and will be open to the

general public.

Cross-border

rabbit control

Photo: Natural Resources South East

Photo: DEWNR

Photo: Natural Resources South East

Aboveandbelow:Warrenrippingandfumigationare

usedaspartofthecross-borderrabbitcontrolproject.

Below:JustineDrew(DEWNR)andJohnMatthews(VictoriaDPI)surveythedamagecausedbyrabbits.

Photo: EcoKnowledge


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Reef Island rabbit baiting

program

Contact: Ilona Fenner, Project Communications Oficer (PPWCMA)

P: 03 8781 7916 | E: [email protected]

New technology to improve

photo-monitoring

Photo-monitoring of beaches is set to become a

breeze thanks to a new Smartphone application

currently being trialled by the Northern

Agricultural Catchments Council (NACC). Regular

photo-monitoring is one approach for improving

our understanding of landscape change and can be

used in a range of settings, eg. for monitoring feral

pig damage to ecologically signiicant sites.

The new app is expected to be in use by July andwill improve the quality of beach photo-monitoring

data currently being collected by volunteers in

programs such as the Geraldton Volunteer Beach

Monitoring Program. Volunteers currently take

regular photos at speciic sites and manually

upload them to an online database. The effort of

these dedicated volunteers has resulted in over

1300 photos uploaded to date.

NACCs project oficer, Dr Mic Payne says, The

new app will reduce the time it takes volunteers

to upload photos to the online database. In future,

volunteers who have access to Smartphones

will be able to use a ghosted reference image

of a monitoring point to take a photo with a

standardised ield-of view, which will improve the

quality of the data collected. The photo will then

be automatically named, geotagged and uploaded

direct to an online database for iltering by NACC

staff before being available to view online.

The app will also prompt volunteers that thetime to take another photo is approaching. With

funding from Coastwest and Caring for Our

Country, technical assistance from the Department

of Transports New Coastal Assets team, and the

support of community groups and land managers,

photo-monitoring points are currently being

identiied. A new batch of volunteers will be trained

in photo monitoring over the coming 12 months to

support the extended program. The app is likely

to be used in a broad range of photo-monitoring

programs across the region.

Reef Island is a smal l nature conservation reserve in Victorias Western Port that is a signiicantroosting site for native shorebirds like Red-Capped Pl overs. A recent rabbit baiting program runby Parks Victoria, with funding from the Ramsar Protection Program has helped to secure thesite as habitat for the shorebirds.

Reef Island had what was a small, uncontrolled rabbit population that was allowed to increaseover the years. While the rabbits themselves actually posed little direct threat to the shorebirdsliving out on the shoreline, the foxes they attracted on the other hand, did pose a threat to the

birds. These birds, with their vulnerable roosting sites in the sand and shingle were easy gamefor this voracious predator crossing the causeway at low tide, looking for prey.

The 1080 rabbit baiting programhas been successful in wipingout the rabbit population onthe Island. Remote camerasdeployed on the Island now showno evidence of any rabbits and asfurther proof of their absence,native vegetation is beginningto regenerate. The foxes nowhave little to attract them to theIsland and are being baited onthe mainland before entry tothe causeway to provide furtherprotection.

The Ramsar Protection Program is coordinated by the Port Phillip and Westernport CMA, withfunding from the Australian Governments Caring for our Country.

FeralFeralphotosphotos 2

013

Do you have photos of

feral donkeys?

Invasive Animals CRC are looking for

photos of wild or feral donkeys from

around Australia to use in some of their

upcoming publications. We would prefer

photos of live, free-ranging animals

roaming in the environment.

If you have any suitable photos,

please send them through to:

[email protected].

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NRM Notes NRM Notes

Contact: Mic Payne, Project Oficer (NACC)


Photo: NACC

Photo: Tom Brady


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Contact: Jayne Miller (NR SAMDB)


Canberra indian myna story - Bill Handke

Contact: Bill Handke, President, Canberra Indian Myna Action Group Inc

P: 02 6231 7461

The introduced pest bird, the Indian (or Common) Myna was brought to Canberra in

the late 1960s, and by 2006 was the 3rd most common bird, according to the weekly

Garden Bird Surveys (GBS) of the Canberra Ornithologists Group. Mynas dominated

the urban landscape. Of particular concern was that various endangered insects

and reptiles including the Golden Sun Moth, Perunga Flightless Grasshopper,

Coorooboorama Raspy Cricket, Grassland Earless Dragon - were being preyed upon

by mynas.

Winning the war against

rabbits!

Contact: Brett Carlsson, Wild Dog Coordinator (Qld)

P: 0428 730 553 | E: [email protected]

The Browns Well Landcare Group (BWLG)

has been working hard the last two years to

protect the natural environment and their crops

by controlling rabbits. Rabbits were causing

igniicant production loss from damage to

crops. The inancial and environmental impact

of this damage convinced BWLG members that a

dedicated approach to controlling rabbit numbers

was required. The group sought advice from theirocal Natural Resources SAMDB Oficers about

how to plan and implement a comprehensive

abbit control program. NRM oficers highlighted

he importance of using integrated control

echniques, so a baiting program followed by a

warren destruction program was implemented in

he affected area.

The baiting program was really effective as it

nvolved 29 landholders working together, sharing

esources and assisting each other throughout the

process. The success of the program was largely

due to the enthusiasm of the Landcare Group

members who encouraged other landholders in

he area to become involved in the coordinated

ontrol program. This project is made possible

by funding from the SA Governments State NRM

program.

Professor Paul Martin, Community Engagement program

leader for the Invasive Animals CRC (based at UNE in

Armidale), recently organised a workshop in Melbourne

with Doug McKenzie-Mohr to discuss the principles behind

the community-based social marketing (CBSM) model. Pest

management practitioners travelled from across Australia to

learn about the process. Participants gained an understanding

of the CBSM model and discussed ideas about how they could

implement CBSM in their pest management work. Thank you

to all those who attended it was great to catch up with you

all and discuss your current work, and how the IA CRC can

provide support into the future.

Pictured right are Queensland Murray-Darling Committees

Darren Marshall and NSW Department of Primary Industries

researcher and PhD candidate Lynette McLeod, who will be

working with Paul and the community engagement program

over the next ive years.

Community engagement practitioners meet in Melbourne

In response to this threat to Canberras wildlife, the Canberra Indian Myna Action Group Inc (CIMAG), was

formed in 2006. Now with some 1580 members, this community-act ion group has had a profound role

in controlling a major environmental pest species. Over the past 7 years, at least 43,000 mynas have been

removed by CIMAG members using backyard traps. The full number is unknown as not all trappers provide

monthly returns.

What is known though, is that the Indian Myna has now dropped to the 14th most common bird in Canberra

according to the GBS. Canberrans report that small birds are back in their gardens, rosellas are no longer

being evicted from tree hollows, backyard patios and bbq areas are not being fouled, and there are fewer

raucous roosts at dusk.

Thanks to the efforts of a community-action trapping program, Indian Mynas are no longer the major pest

they once were in the Canberra area.

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NRM Notes NRM Notes

Planning wild dog

management

Above:Planningwilddogmanagementwiththe

FlindersShireWildDogAdvisoryGroup.

Below:GreenandBrownwilddogplanningbooks

http://www.feral.org.au/pestsmart/wild-dogs/

Contact: Paul Martin, University of New England/IA CRC


Community myna trapping pays dividends


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This section of NRM Notes is dedicated to

the scientific papers that have recently

been published and dont readily find

their way out to on-ground managers and

members of NRM agencies. Below is a

summary of two recent journal publications

regarding pest animal management.

Resear

chin

review

...

As clear as mud: A critical review of evidence for the ecological roles ofAustralian dingoesBenjamin L. Allen, Peter J. S. Fleming, Lee R. Allen, Richard M. Engeman, Guy Ballard and LukeK.-P. LeungFrom: Biological Conservation 159, 158-174Journal homepage: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2012.12.004

If you would like a copy of these scientific papers in full, please dont hesitate to contact us at:[email protected] or [email protected] and we can arrange to send you a copy.

Predaon on nave vertebrates and livestock by the European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) remains a signicant

problem in many parts of Australia. Coordinated approaches to fox control are most eecve in protecng

these assets and involve placement of baits across the landscape by private and public land managers.

However, parcipaon in such programmes varies seasonally and the spaal coverage of baing is oen

dicult to determine. Here, we describe a geographic informaon systems-based system that assists land

managers to collect and use spaal informaon, minimizing gaps in bait coverage and maximizing bait

encounters by foxes to increase the eecveness of pest control. The coordinaon of data collecon and

reporng between land managers should facilitate more eecve adapve management by allowing beer

strategic planning and increasing landholder involvement, which should, in turn, improve the programmes

ecacy, provided other crical condions and resources are met.

Top-predators have been reported to have an important role in structuring food webs and maintaining

ecological processes for the benet of biodiversity at lower trophic levels. This is thought to be achieved

through their suppressive eects on sympatric mesopredators and prey. Great scienc and public interest

surrounds the potenal use of top-predators as biodiversity conservaon tools, and it can oen be dicult

to separate what we think we know and what we really know about their ecological ulity. Not all the claims

made about the ecological roles of top-predators can be substanated by current evidence. We review the

methodology underpinning empirical data on the ecological roles of Australian dingoes (Canis lupus dingo

and hybrids) to provide a comprehensive and objecve benchmark for knowledge of the ecological roles

of Australias largest terrestrial predator. From a wide variety of methodological aws, sampling bias, and

experimental design constraints inherent to 38 of the 40 eld studies we assessed, we demonstrate that

there is presently unreliable and inconclusive evidence for dingoes role as a biodiversity regulator. We also

discuss the widespread (both taxonomically and geographically) and direct negave eects of dingoes tonave fauna, and the few robust studies invesgang their posive roles. In light of the highly variable and

context-specic impacts of dingoes on faunal biodiversity and the inconclusive state of the literature, we

strongly cauon against the posive management of dingoes in the absence of a supporng evidence-base

for such acon.

Recording fox baiting effort across the landscape using geographic information sys-tems: Facilitating more effective managementAlison L. Towerton, Rodney P. Kavanagh, Trent D. Penman and Christopher R. Dickman

From: Ecological Management & Restoration 14: 54-58Journal homepage: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/emr.12026/abstract

invasive animals crc nrm notes 13.1

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