Feral animals are non-native animals that have been introduced to Australia and have established themselves in the wild where they are able to survive without human support.
The non-native animals present in Australia thrive here as they typically have few natural predators, low disease rates and high reproductive rates.
Impacts of feral animals
Feral animals have significant impacts on Australia’s native animals. The threats they pose to the long-term viability of some native animals means that they are listed as a key threatening process in particular: predation by European red fox, predation by Feral cats, competition and land degradation by rabbits.
Common impacts of feral animals are:
- Predation on native species
- Competition for food, water and shelter
- Destroying or altering habitat
- Spreading diseases
- Causing soil degradation and erosion
How did these animals get introduced?
Animals have been introduced in Australia since Colonisation. Some escaped from captivity and some were deliberately or accidentally released or through illegal importation.
An interesting historical fact is that following European settlement, a wide range of animals and plants were deliberately introduced into Australia by organisations known as Acclimatisation Societies. One of the most active societies was based in Victoria. The Victorian Acclimatisation Society was founded in 1861. It adopted the motto of ‘If it lives, we want it”.
The society sent Australian animals to Europe and in return received European animals to release in Australia. Some of their dubious claims to fame were that they successfully introduced possums to New Zealand and European Carp to the Murray River. Many of the introductions were unsuccessful, although some are still being farmed throughout Australia and some have become established as pest species such as rabbits, foxes, sparrows and starlings.
Examples of feral animals in our local area:
European Carp are a large introduced freshwater fish which are common throughout much of NSW. Carp were introduced to Australia over 100 years ago and have become the most dominant large-bodied fish in the Murray-Darling Basin making up 80-90 per cent of fish biomass. They are a well-known pest species because of their destructive bottom-feeding habits which stir up sediments, reduces water quality and damages habitat for native fish existing in the same ecosystem.
Feral cats are a major threat to our native animals. Feral cats have been identified as being directly responsible for at least 34 bird, reptile and small mammal extinctions. They are found all over Australia in remote areas, as well as urban and bush areas. A single feral cat can have a large toll predating on native animals.
Research by the Threatened Species Hub in 2020 found that a feral cat in the bush predates on 791 mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs per year, along with 371 invertebrates per year. A feral cat in an urban area predates on 449 mammals, birds and reptiles in urban areas per year.
To reduce the feral cat population in urban areas, you should remove all potential food sources, always place litter in a bin, make sure garbage bins lids are secure.
What about domestic cats?
A pet cat that is allowed to roam freely in some parts of NSW and predates on 186 mammals, birds and reptiles per year.
It is recommended that all pet cats be kept indoors or in outside contained areas. It is a safer healthier option for your cat and will save local wildlife.
An indoor life will eliminate the risk of car strike, territorial fighting, exposure to ticks, disease and risk of going missing. Indoor cats tend to live healthier, longer lives and incur fewer vet bills.
All pet cats should be desexed, microchipped and registered with council.
The fox was deliberately introduced into Australia for recreational hunting in 1855. Since then, it has spread in the wild across most of Australia. The fox survives in many different habitats ranging from urban areas, alpine to arid zones.
The fox is recognised as a significant contributor to the decline of native animals and undermines recovery efforts for native threatened species especially of ground dwelling and semi-arboreal mammals; ground-nesting birds and tortoises.
Rabbits were introduced into Australia with the first fleet, releasing them near Geelong, Victoria in 1859.
Known for their breeding capabilities, they spread rapidly and by 1910 covered most of Australia. European Rabbits adapted well to the Australian landscape occupying a wide range of habitats from deserts to coastal areas.
Rabbits compete with native wildlife for resources, they degrade the land through burrow building and prevent regeneration by eating seeds and seedlings. Their impacts can be more intense during drought.
Indian (Common) Myna is an exotic bird that is native to the Indian sub-continent. It was introduced into Australia in 1860s attempting to control insect pests in market gardens around Melbourne.
Indian Mynas are listed in the top 100 of the world’s worst invasive species by the World Conservation Union, being one of only three bird species to make the list.
Indian Mynas are an emerging threat in the Wagga Wagga region. There have been recent reports of them moving into this area most likely migrating from established populations in surrounding areas such as Canberra. Indian Mynas like to inhabit open areas ranging from parklands, cleared agricultural lands and roadside reserves.
In Australia, the Indian Myna is considered a significant threat to native wildlife due to its territorial and aggressive behaviour. Breeding in pairs, they use the same hollow each year, evicting native birds from nesting boxes and hollows. They are also known to carry diseases such as avian malaria (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus spp.), which can drive some native birds into extinction.
The Indian Myna a is often mistaken for the native Noisy Miner which has similar features including yellow eye markings and yellow beak.
Indian Myna
Native Noisy Miner
The community can report sightings of Indian Mynas to Council's environment team Email: council@wagga.nsw.gov.au or enter sightings into MynaScan
Tip: Plant native trees in your garden, rather than exotic tree and palm species as Indian mynas love palm trees and other exotics as they offer more closed in protection from predators rather than the open canopy of Australian natives.
- Eliminate easy food sources by not leaving pet food outside overnight and keeping pet food bowls covered at other times.
- Keep your compost bin covered to prevent access to food scraps
- Plant native trees in your garden, rather than exotic tree and palm species
- Keep your cat and dog inside at night. Even better let your cat live indoors full time.
- Remove excess rubbish from around your property which could provide a home for a feral animals
- Collect fallen fruit off the ground regularly around fruit trees
- Remove blackberry and weed thickets which can provide cover and food for a feral animals
- Prevent feral animals from living under your house or in your eaves by blocking access
- Ensure rural landholders are meeting their general biosecurity duty
Report Sightings
Feralscan is an app and website that is a free community resource for monitoring, mapping and managing pest animals. You can enter a sighting or activity,
- Select a species to get started – Wild Dog, Deer, Rabbit, Feral Cat, Fox, Feral Pig, Myna, Toad, Mouse, Feral Goat, Feral Fish, Starling, Other Pests, New pests.
- Register and login.
- Answer questions recording information on (Depending on animal): Pest activity and sightings, photos, record impacts or damage, disease, attacks on native species.
For more information on any feral species within the Riverina take a look at the general biosecurity guide by Riverina Local Land Services.
What is Council doing to reduce feral animal populations?
Integrated control measures are the most effective way to control pest species which means using a range of control techniques, targeting a range of pest species and seeking to work across large areas with neighbours working collaboratively together.
Council has been undertaking the following activities:
- Electrofishing in Wollundry Lagoon and Marrambidya Wetlands carried out in 2021 removed approx 750kg of European Carp. A further 356kg of European Carp were removed from Marrambidya Wetlands in July 2024.
- Fox control program conducted in partnership with Local Land Services at Flowerdale Lagoon, Wiradjuri Lagoon, Wilks Park and Marrambidya Wetland in 2019.
- Ongoing surveillance of Indian Myna sightings to locate roosting sites
Riverina Local Land Services can give landholders tailored advice and co-ordinate group run baiting control programs for foxes and wild dogs regularly. Riverina Local Land Services can be contacted on 1300 795 299 and ask to speak to the local Biosecurity Officer.