FERALS AND You should also obey road signs as areas

may be closed to help prevent the spread

INVASIVE SPECIES of Phytophthora.

In Australia, feral animals have high

reproductive rates and usually have few
natural predators. As a result of this, their
numbers can rapidly increase and can
impact on native species by predation,
c o m p e t i n g f o r f o o d a n d s h e l t e r,
destroying habitats and also by spreading
diseases.

Phytophthora You can stop the spread by staying on the

Phytophthora is a fungus like, water
mould organism. The organism is carried
in the soil and water and causes diseases
and also death to a wide variety of native
plant species.The Organisms begins by
attacking the roots and also the stems
which causes the native plants to rot and
eventually die. The first visual signs of an
infected plant are discolouration of the
leaves, usually yellow or red colour.
designated tracks and using the hygiene
stations to clean your boots.
Feral Cats
Feral cats have caused the extinction of
some birds and mammals and also
threaten the survival of over 100 native
species in Australia. They can carry
infectious diseases which can spread to
native animals, domestic livestock and even
humans. Feral cats can be found in all
habitats over Australia including forests,
woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and dry
areas.
There are a number of current methods put
in place to control the number of feral cats.
These control methods include shooting,
traps and also poison baits, which is the
most popular.
Feral European Red Fox
The European Red Fox was introduced to
Australia for recreational purposes in the
mid-1800s. Since being introduced for
hunting, they have spread across most of
Australia and have been a contributing
cause to the decline of a number of native
species.
Its main food source is small animals,
including newborn lambs but it also eats
insects and fruit. Hunting the European Red
Fox has not been proven successfully in
reducing the number of foxes. However,
fencing and poison baits have been
successful in reducing the damage caused
by foxes and also reducing their population.
Feral European Rabbit
European rabbits arrived in Australia with the
First Fleet and is now one of the most
abundant mammals in the country. Not only
do rabbits cause severe damage to the
environment agriculture but they also prevent
regeneration by eating seeds and seedlings.
The European Rabbit is harder to control as
common methods may affect other native
predators as they feed on feral rabbits.
Feral European Rabbit
Controls most commonly used include
exposure to disease which only affects
rabbits and also using toxins to kill rabbits
while they are in their warrens.
References
Department for Environment and Heritage. (2009).
Phytophthora is killing our plants! [PDF file]. Retrieved from:
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/
Browse_by_region/Fleurieu_Peninsula/deep-creek-
conservation-park
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities. (2011). Feral European
Rabbit [PDF file]. Canberra, ACT. Retrieved from http://
www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/
7ba1c152-7eba-4dc0-a635-2a2c17bcd794/files/rabbit.pdf
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities. (2010). European Red Fox
[PDF file]. Canberra, ACT. Retrieved from http://
www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/
1910ab1d-a019-4ece-aa98-1085e6848271/files/
european-red-fox.pdf
Department of the Environment and Energy. (n.d).
Feral cats. Retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/
biodiversity/invasive-species/feral-animals-australia/feral-
cats
Lucy Engel