Pressures on the World Heritage Area - More Animal Pests

As well as feral pigs and cane toads there are quite a number of animal pests in the Wet Tropics area which are proving to be hard to control. Some of these are discussed below. You can read more about feral animals and what we need to do about them in Chapeter 11 of the Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy [3.2MB].

Cats and Dogs

Exact statistics are hard to come by but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to prove that domestic pets and feral escapees are a major threat to our wildlife. Dogs have been responsible for the mauling and death of cassowaries, tree kangaroos and possums. While there may be docile individuals, most cats instinctively kill everything they can catch or scratch including birds, skinks and geckos, snakes, native rodents, small possums and frogs. The hunting instinct of the cat is so strong, they hunt for pleasure as well as for feeding. Familiar to many cat owners is the dead animal left on the front doorstep as an unwanted gift! The number of native animals killed by dogs and cats nationally each year are estimated to be in the millions - with the highest published estimates at 18 million native animals per year.

Deer

Feral deer have the potential to spread throughout the Wet Tropics. Populations have already been identified in the Mission Beach, East Palmerston and Upper Daradgee areas where it is believed the deer have escaped from farms. Species include rusa deer (native to Indonesia) and chital deer (native to India and Sri Lanka). The sclerophyll communities of the Wet Tropics are particularly susceptible to deer invasion. Feral deer can degrade native vegetation communities and revegetation areas through browsing, grazing and trampling. They can compete with native animals for resources. Feral deer can lower the water quality of creek and river systems through erosion and faecal contamination. They may also spread weeds and diseases.

QPWS rangers have attempted to minimise deer numbers through shooting programs. Negotiations with deer farmers to control escapes and restrict the sale of deer as pets are an important element of preventing the establishment of another uncontrollable feral animal in the World Heriatge Area.

See the attached fact sheet and brochure for the 2006 feral deer spotting campaign to raise public awareness about feral deer and to prevent them spreading throughout the Wet Tropics.

Indian Mynah

The Indian Mynah is a very aggressive bird. It evicts other birds from their nests, dumps out their eggs and chases native birds from their roosting areas. The mynah prefers urban backyards, where it displaces many Australian species and is a strong competitor for food. This bird is brown with a black head and yellow feet, eye-patch and bill. It has a variable call and is often in pairs or small groups.

Many other exotic animals are present in the region which are displacing native species (rather than preying on them). These include the Asian House Gecko, sparrows, turtle doves, the Big-headed ant and rats from Europe.

Electric Ants, Fire Ants and Crazy Ants

There has alreay been limited outbreaks of yellow crazy ants and electric ants in Cairns on the edge of the World Heritage Area, and fire ants are established in south east Queensland. All these ants have the potential to cause ecological damage if they become established in the Area. The ants may also affect people's enjoyment of the Area with their nasty bites. More information on electric ants is available below:

» Electric ant fact sheet
» Progress report (November 2007)
» Controlling the movement of electric ants