Pest animals
Australia has the highest record for biodiversity loss anywhere in the world. Since the arrival of Europeans, more than 110 plant and animal species have become extinct. Much of this loss has been caused by pest animals. There are 56 species of pest animals in Australia, with cats, dogs, foxes, pigs, mynah birds and cane toads considered the worst in environmental and economic terms. The challenge is to find ways to reduce the numbers of these pest animals to help restore native biodiversity and reduce losses in the agricultural industries.
The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board has a clearly defined approach to managing pests. The pest management hierarchy recommends management actions for priority pest plants and animals. We work closely with land managers to find ways of reducing the number of pests, help restore native biodiversity and reduce losses in the agricultural industry. We have implemented a pest management program to assist land managers identify and manage the pest plants and pest animals they may encounter on their properties. This program helps the community and industries to:
- prevent the establishment of identified high risk pests;
- assess and prioritise existing pests;
- raise awareness of priority pests, their identification and control; and
- access information and advice about pest control.
See our pest animal control page for more information about how we can help landholders with pest animals.
Permits for the management of some native animals can be found here.
Our Pest Plant and Animal Control Policy provides guidance to land managers, our staff and other relevant stakeholders in regard to their responsibilities for pest animal and plant control under the Landscape South Australia Act, 2019.
Priority pest animals in the Eyre Peninsula region
The pest animals listed below are those that are a priority in our region.
Rabbits
Since their introduction to Australia, rabbits have severely affected native flora and fauna by inhibiting the regeneration of native vegetation, competing with native fauna for food and shelter. Even at low densities, rabbits impact on native vegetation and reduce the carrying capacity for livestock. Our landscape officers can help with control advice for landholders.
Resources:
- Eyre Peninsula Rabbit Pest Management Plan
- RabbitScan provides a range of resources including management and control options
- RabbitScan: report your rabbit sightings here
Watch our video about rabbit control on the Eyre Peninsula.
Controlling feral rabbits on Eyre Peninsula
Foxes
A variety of red fox control techniques are used in Australia. These include hunting by trapping and shooting, poisoning, den destruction, exclusion by fencing, or changes to farming practices. Landholders are encouraged to implement an integrated control strategy to control foxes, as per their obligations under the Landscape Act. Our landscape officers can help with control advice.
Subsided meat fox baits are made available during annual collection days in February / March (see our Events page). If you missed out on your local collection day or need more, contact your closest landscape board office.
Resources:
Dingoes / Wild Dogs
Wild dogs, which include dingoes (Canis dingo), feral domestic dogs (C. lupis familiaris) and their hybrids, cost the livestock industries of Australia tens of millions of dollars annually. South of the dog fence, where sheep are the predominant livestock, the dingo is a declared pest and all landholders must control them. Our landscape officers can help with control advice.
Resources:
Feral Cats
Feral cats have a significant negative impact on the diversity and abundance of native Australian fauna, particularly mammals, birds and reptiles. Control of feral cats is challenging as they are found in very low densities over large home ranges and are shy, making them difficult to locate. The most effective form of feral cat control over large areas is poison baiting.
Resources:
Feral Deer
Deer can impose costs on society, including damage to property and fences and impact-related road traffic accidents, whilst reducing the productivity of livestock due to heavy competition for resources. There are two species of major concern across the Eyre Peninsula region - Fallow deer and Red deer.
Resources:
Feral Goats
There are numerous methods available to reduce the impact of feral goats including mustering, trapping at water, shooting from the ground or the air, using Judas goats, poisoning, fencing and habitat manipulation.
Resources:
Commons Starlings
StarlingScan: report your sightings here
Camels
CamelScan: report your sightings here
Keep up to date
We undertake a range of regular pest animal control activities. To see what we have been doing lately, see our latest news on Twitter twitter.com/EPLandscapeSA and on Facebook at facebook.com/EPLandscapeSA. You can also subscribe to our quarterly newsletter which provides updates on our work.