General pest animal management

Potential role of vertebrate pest animals in the spread of weeds

This project will conduct a literature review and pen trials to find if viable weed seeds pass through the gut, to determine the likely significance of pest animals (particularly birds, rabbits and foxes) in the spread of particular weed species.

Significantly improving access to information on feral animal management

This project is developing an interactive website that promotes the strategic and integrated approach to managing the impacts of pest animals. It will provide a forum for 'knowledge brokering' and will be a useful source of information for anyone involved in pest animal research or management.
Additional information: Feral Animal Web Portal

Manual for monitoring of pest animals and their impacts

This project will investigate standardised monitoring approaches that are useful at the individual landholder and government levels.

Assessment of risks posed by exotic vertebrates in Australia

This project will use the risk assessment model developed by the Bureau of Rural Sciences to assess the threat posed to agriculture by a selection of exotic vertebrates already present in Australia (in captivity and newly established). A risk assessment of these species will assist State/Territory governments to make informed management decisions about the import and keeping of exotic vertebrates.

Additional information: Risk assessment for the import and keeping of exotic vertebrates in Australia

Increase the comprehensiveness and functions of the pest animal website

This project will increase the quality, comprehensiveness and usability of the pest animal website, and will increase the outreach of the site through development of educational programs and resources that will link to Australia’s schools and training institutions.

Measuring the social, environmental and economic impacts of vertebrate pests

The original 'Counting the cost' report excluded many of the costs of pest animals and did not calculate potential impacts for species that are still spreading. Results of a recent Cooperative Research Centre ‘triple bottom line’ workshop will be used to conduct a case study to assess economic, environmental and social costs of pest animals in detail.

Can commercial use contribute to pest animal management

This project will determine the circumstances under which commercial harvesting of kangaroos, feral goats and feral pigs contributes to effective management (i.e. reduced impact) of these species. Bioeconomic analyses will be used to define optimal sustainable grazing of rangelands based on a range of domestic/wild herbivore combinations.

Development of training packages for the management of the impact of vertebrate pests in Australia

This project supported the development of nationally accredited training packages to feed into national competency standards for vertebrate pest management.
Contact: NFACP project manager
Additional information: Conservation and land management training package

Extension/training modules to promote adoption of best practice pest management

Extension/training modules have been developed for use in NSW and other states to promote adoption of best practice management of rabbits, foxes, feral pigs and feral goats.

Promotion of pest management training package

A series of workshops were held around Australia to promote strategic pest management concepts to State and Territory agricultural protection staff. Workshop participants were provided with training packages (consisting of video, CD-Rom, printed material, property management planning module and slides) and instructed in their effective use for advising landholders.

Establishment of a sustainable agriculture component of veterinary science undergraduate curriculum

National Feral Animal Control Program (NFACP) support was provided to develop pest animal management and commercial use modules as part of a broader objective of promoting sustainable agriculture in veterinary and agricultural science courses in Australia.
Additional information: Veterinary Conservation Biology - Undergraduate Course

Develop and test a practical method for prioritising pest animal management areas across a region

This project developed a quantitative prioritisation method to achieve best allocation of limited pest management funds.
Project product: Pestplan 
Project product: Pestplan Toolkit

Refinement of a 1080 bait degradation model

1080 baiting is a vital component of pest animal control in Australia. This project will investigate the effects of temperature, rainfall, soil conditions and bait age on rates of 1080 loss in meat baits. The results will have implications for improved baiting strategies.

Funding of state extension coordinator

An extension coordinator reviewed the effectiveness of regional pest animal management programs in Victoria. The position promoted more strategic approaches to management through: facilitating regional workshops; drafting State and regional management plans; and reviewing existing extension materials and training.

Property-based wildlife management plans

Property-based wildlife management plans are formal agreements between landholders and commercial and non-commercial wildlife (native and introduced species) harvesters and hunters which may facilitate more cost-effective, regionally-based pest management. This project produced a wildlife management plan manual to help government agencies work with hunters more effectively.