MOSQUITO, PEST AND QUARANTINE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Operations Environmental Management Plan –Midstream Operations

Title: Mosquito, Pest and Quarantine Management Plan Issue date: January 2014

LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000011 Review due: January 2015

LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000011 Responsible: Permits and Licensing Coordinator Endorsed: GM Environment

UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED

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MIDSTREAM OPERATIONS ‐ ENVIRONMENT

MOSQUITO, PEST AND QUARANTINE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Scope and application

This management plan addresses the objectives and performance criteria, management measures, and monitoring, auditing, and corrective action requirements relating to mosquito, pest and quarantine management for the Queensland Curtis LNG Facility on Curtis Island during operations.

Management measures and reporting and auditing requirements specified, are intended to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Authority (EA) for Petroleum Facility Licence (PFL) 11 (Permit Number EPPG00711513), and other relevant approvals, applicable under Queensland and Commonwealth legislation.

This document applies to operation of the LNG Facility following handover of the site from Bechtel to QGC. It addresses mosquitos, pests and quarantine matters within the bounds of PFL11 on Curtis Island.

Contents

1.0 Summary of Responsibilities........................................................................................................... 3

2.0 Structure ......................................................................................................................................... 4

3.0 Aspect ............................................................................................................................................. 4

3.1 Mosquitos ....................................................................................................................................... 4

3.2 Pests ................................................................................................................................................ 5

3.3 Shipping and Quarantine ................................................................................................................ 5

4.0 Objective ......................................................................................................................................... 7

5.0 Performance Criteria ....................................................................................................................... 7

5.1 Legislation and Standards ............................................................................................................... 7

5.2 Performance Criteria ....................................................................................................................... 8

6.0 Management Measures .................................................................................................................. 8

6.1 Mosquitos and Biting Midges ......................................................................................................... 9

6.2 Pests ................................................................................................................................................ 9

6.3 Quarantine .................................................................................................................................... 10

7.0 Monitoring and Reporting ............................................................................................................ 11

8.0 Auditing ......................................................................................................................................... 11

9.0 Corrective Action .......................................................................................................................... 12

Definitions ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 13

Appendix A Fact Sheets .................................................................................................................................... 14






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Tables

Table 1 – Summary of Responsibilities 3

Table 2 – Structure 4

Table 3 – Management Measures 9

Table 4 – Monitoring and Reporting 11

Table 5 – Corrective Actions 12






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1.0 Summary of Responsibilities

The following responsibilities apply for all personnel undertaking activities covered by this document.

Table 1 – Summary of Responsibilities

Position Management Responsibilities

QGC Central Environment Team / QGC Central Compliance Team

Undertake audits against the QGC Environmental Management System (EMS).

Manage third party auditing of the EA and Coordinator General (CG) Conditions.

Coordinate preparation and submission of Statutory Reporting including Annual Environmental Return and Annual Monitoring Report.

Communicate non‐compliance with the EA to the Administering Authority.

LNG Operations HSSE Manager

Oversee the evaluation of compliance with environmental legislation and regulations, permits, licences and approvals.

Ensure this Management Plan is implemented and updated.

Oversee incident investigations and implementation of corrective actions.

Lead Environmental Advisor (LEA) / Superintendent Environment (title TBC for Ops)

Provide input into the Environmental Site Induction provided to all site staff and visitors.

Manage the monitoring, identification and treatment of mosquitos and pests.

Act as primary point of contact for site personnel for mosquito, pest and quarantine matters.

Initiate and participate in environmental incident investigations in conjunction with and as directed by the LNG Operations HSSE Manager.

Communicate incidences and non‐compliance to the QGC Central Environment Team/ QGC Central Compliance Team.

Collate environmental incident reports and associated regulatory notifications for submission to the QGC Central Environment Team/QGC Central Compliance Team for review and transmission to the administering authority.

Monitor the implementation of the Management Measures and identify Corrective Actions if required.

Communicate the need for corrective actions to the LNG Operations HSSE Manager.

Interact with Administering Authority as directed by the QGC Central Environment Team/QGC Central Compliance Team.

Participate in audits against the QGC EMS.

Facilitate site aspects of third party auditing of the EA and CG Conditions.

Business Services Manager

Manages contracts with Mosquito and Pest Management Contractors.

Identify, as part of the contract management process, safety risks related to the work.

Provide the Mosquito and Pest Management Contractors with Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the chemicals they will be using.






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Maintenance Manager

Maintain the site and infrastructure to minimise the potential for pests to enter the site and mosquitos and midges from breeding within the site.

2.0 Structure

The body of this environmental management plan follows the structure outlined below:

Table 2 – Structure

Section Heading Description

1.0 Summary of Responsibilities

Summary of responsibilities for all personnel undertaking activities covered by this document

2.0 Structure This section, summarising document structure

3.0 Aspect How aspects of the activity phases are to be managed (as it affects environmental and social values).

0 Objective The Activity policy or management objective that applies to each element.

5.0 Performance Criteria

Measurable performance criteria (outcomes) for each element of each Activity phase.

6.0 Management Measures

The strategies, tasks or action program (to nominated operational design standards) that will be implemented to achieve the performance criteria.

7.0 Monitoring and Reporting

The monitoring requirements to measure actual performance (i.e. specified limits to pre‐selected indicators of change).

Format, timing and responsibility for reporting and auditing of monitoring results.

8.0 Auditing The auditing requirements to demonstrate implementation of agreed environmental management strategies and compliance with agreed performance criteria.

0 Corrective Action The action (options) to be implemented in case a performance requirement is not reached and the person responsible for that action (including staff authority, responsibility and management structure).

3.0 Aspect

3.1 Mosquitos

The Gladstone Region environment includes offshore islands and large coastal areas of intertidal wetlands. After key environmental events, such as king tides and heavy rain, large numbers of mosquitoes breed and impact on residents within the region, particularly around Gladstone City itself. The salt marsh mosquitoes which breed in these areas have a flight range of over 50 kilometres ‐ well outside the limits of the city boundaries.

Gladstone Regional Council (GRC) has in place a program to control mosquitoes. However, the extent of potential sites and the distance the insect can travel means that it is not always possible to eliminate large adult mosquito populations from affecting residential areas. GRC has developed a strategy to manage major influxes

Refer to Mosquito Management Plan, Gladstone Regional Council, 2010






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of mosquitoes, which involves carrying out strategic fogging when and where it provides the most benefit to the community.

3.2 Pests

Field surveys conducted as part of the ecological assessment for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identified the following pest animals on or adjacent the Curtis Island site:

European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes).

Feral dog (Canis lupis).

Feral pig.

Feral cat (Felis catus).

Black rat (Rattus rattus).

Cattle.

Feral horse.

Cane Toads.

3.3 Shipping and Quarantine

Ships entering Gladstone Harbour are under the authority and jurisdiction of Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) Harbour Master‐Gladstone and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and shall follow the procedures and guidelines set forth by these regulating authorities.

Refer to Protecting Our Seas, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 2010

3.3.1 International Shipping

LNG carriers comply with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78). MARPOL’s objective is to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimisation of accidental discharge of such substances.

As of May 2013, 152 states, representing 99.2% of the world’s shipping tonnage are parties to MARPOL. All ships flagged under countries that are signatories to MARPOL are subject to its requirements regardless of where they sail.

MARPOL contains 6 annexes, concerned with preventing different forms of marine pollution from ships:

Annex I – Oil

Annex II – Noxious Liquid Substances carried in Bulk

Annex III – Harmful Substances carried in Packaged Form

Annex IV – Sewage

Annex V – Garbage

Annex VI – Air Pollution

Refer to IMO Website for information on MARPOL 73/78






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3.3.2 Ballast Water Management and Biofouling

Marine pests are known to be introduced and translocated in a variety of ways including ballast water from ships and biofouling. Marine pests can have significant impacts on the marine environment, human health and the economy. Such impacts include destruction of marine habitats and adverse effects on tourism, fishing, marine industries and coastal values.

In November 1997, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), by Assembly Resolution A.868(20), adopted Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water to Minimise the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens. These guidelines provide Member States with guidance on procedures which will minimise the risk of the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms via ships’ ballast water and sediments.

In July 2001, the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) (now Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) implemented mandatory ballast water management requirements for vessels engaged in international shipping. For ships arriving from outside Australian waters, where the potential risk is deemed to be high, the three approved options for the management of ballast water are:

Full ballast water exchange at sea.

Tank to tank transfers.

No discharge of high risk ballast water in Australian waters.

For the QCLNG Project, LNG vessels will comply with these requirements through open sea full ballast water exchange. Upon exchanging ballast water at sea, the Ship’s Captain sends a report to DAFF, who determine if they would like to do an inspection (for example of the Ship’s log books) or sample the ballast water.

As applicable to marine activities, QGC will employ the National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Non‐trading Vessels and the National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Commercial Vessels to assist marine operators minimise the risk of translocating and introducing marine pests.

Refer to Resolution A.868,

27 November 1997

3.3.3 Quarantine

Waste from LNG Ships that is considered quarantine waste will be removed from the ships in accordance with the LNG Operations Waste Management Plan. The Quarantine Regulations 2000 defines quarantine waste as:

Material used to pack or stabilise cargo.

Galley and food waste.

Human, animal or plant waste (e.g. sewage, animal by‐products, soil and plant by‐products).

Refuse or sweepings from the holds or decks of a vessel or installation.

Quarantine waste may also include any other waste or material which comes in contact with quarantine waste.

DAFF imposes controls on the collection, movement, storage and treatment of quarantine waste from international vessels arriving into Australia.

Refer to LNG Operations – Waste Management Plan, LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000005






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4.0 Objective

The Project environmental objective for pest management is:

To prevent proliferation of pests.

To prevent introduction of pests as a results of operational activities. To minimise potential mosquito and biting midge breeding sites resulting

from LNG operational activities. To undertake LNG operational activities such that potential health impacts

on site personnel and nearby sensitive receptors arising from mosquito, biting midge and pest species are minimised.


5.1 Legislation and Standards

The performance criteria and implementation strategy has been developed in accordance with:

Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) (Qld).

Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 (Qld).

Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (Qld).

Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003 (Qld).

Pest Management Act 2001 (Qld).

Pest Management Regulation 2003 (Qld).

Transport Operations (Marine pollution) Act 1995 (Qld).

Quarantine Regulations 2000 (Cth).

Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983 (Cth).

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78).

Environmental Authority No. EPPG00711513.

Guidelines/References include but are not limited to:

The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions, National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Commercial Vessels, Commonwealth of Australia, January 2009.

The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions, National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Non‐trading Vessels, Commonwealth of Australia, January 2009.

Assembly Resolution A.868(20) Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water to Minimise the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens, International Maritime Organization, 1997

Operational Policy, Pest management, Mosquito and biting midge control, Department of Environment and Resource Management, 2011.

Guidelines to minimise mosquito and biting midge problems in new development areas, Queensland Health, 2002.






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Mosquito Management Plan, Gladstone Regional Council, 2012.

Mosquito Management Code of Practice, The Local Government Association of Queensland Ltd, 2012.

Fact Sheets:

Declared Class 2 Pest Animal, Control of feral pigs, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2010.

Declared Class 2 Pest Animal, Wild dogs, Canis familiaris, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2010.

Declared Class 2 Pest Animal, European red fox, Vulpes vulpes, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2010.

Declared Class 2 Pest Animal, Feral cat ecology and control, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2012.

Pest Animal, Cane toads, Bufo marinus, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2013.


The performance criteria and objectives for this management plan are as follows:

Pests are controlled within the LNG Facility.

No increase in abundance or distribution of pest species or mosquitos and biting midges as a result of operational activities.

No introduction of pest species as a result of project activities.

6.0 Management Measures

Table 3 presents management measures, monitoring and reporting requirements to be adopted during operation to meet the performance objectives and criteria for pest management.




LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000011 Responsible: Permits and Licensing CoordinatorEndorsed: GM Environment


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Table 3 – Management Measures

Performance Criteria Management Action Responsibility

6.1 Mosquitos and Biting Midges

No increase in abundance or distribution of mosquitos and biting midges as a result of operational activities.

Site personnel will be advised of the nuisance and adverse impacts associated with mosquitos and biting midges and advised of mitigation strategies.

LNG Operations HSSE Manager

Remove areas where standing water may act as potential breeding sites for mosquitos (e.g. potholes and wheel ruts) as soon as is practicable.

Maintenance Manager

Maintain fly screens on building facilities.

Provide and maintain a door closer (e.g. gas strut hinge or automatic) to ensure doors are closed to building facilities to prevent ingress of mosquitos, biting midges and other pest species.

Maintain drainage systems for stormwater to reduce standing water on the site and minimise mosquito and midge breeding areas.

Provide insect repellent to site personnel. LNG Operations HSSE Manager

Undertake awareness campaigns for site personnel on mosquitoes and other biting insects

QGC Corporate HSSE

6.2 Pests

Pests are controlled within the LNG Facility.

No increase in abundance or distribution of pest species as a result of operational activities.

No introduction of pest species as a result of project activities.

Maintain fly screens on building facilities. Maintenance Manager

Provide and maintain a door closer (e.g. gas strut hinge or automatic) to ensure doors are closed to building facilities to prevent ingress of mosquitos, biting midges and larger pest species.

Maintain the perimeter fence to minimise entry of larger pests to the site.

Ensure all putrescible waste is stored in lidded receptacles and removed from site periodically.

Materials Coordinator Refer to LNG Operations – Waste Management Plan, LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000005




LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000011 Responsible: Permits and Licensing CoordinatorEndorsed: GM Environment


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Table 3 – Management Measures

Performance Criteria Management Action Responsibility

6.3 Quarantine

No introduction of pest species as a result of LNG Shipping activities.

Quarantine facilities will be provided for the disposal of ship waste in accordance with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) requirements.

Business Services Manager Refer to LNG Operations – Waste Management Plan, LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000005

Quarantine Waste will be transported from the LNG Ships directly onto Barges for disposal, following Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Chain of Custody Procedures.

Facilities Manager

LNG vessels will comply with the requirements of the IMO resolution A.868 through full ballast water exchange at sea.

Marine Operations Manager Legislation and Guidelines include

Assembly Resolution A.868(20) Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water to Minimise the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens, International Maritime Organization, 1997

As applicable to marine activities, QGC will adhere to The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions.

The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions, National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Commercial Vessels, Commonwealth of Australia, January 2009.

The National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions, National Biofouling Management Guidelines for Non‐trading Vessels, Commonwealth of Australia, January 2009

LNG Ship compliance with MARPOL 73/78 to preserve the marine environment through the complete elimination of pollution by oil and other harmful substances and the minimisation of accidental discharge of such substances.

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978






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7.0 Monitoring and Reporting

Monitoring and reporting is to be undertaken as specified in Table 4 below.

Table 4 – Monitoring and Reporting

Monitoring Action Reporting Action Responsibility

Routinely inspect areas of ponded/pooled water that cannot be removed/backfilled, for the presence of larvae.

Maintain a record of inspections including observations of larvae and presence of mosquitos and midges.

LEA

Undertake inspections of potential breeding grounds following rain.

During routine site inspections, check that lids are on bins, fly screens are maintained, fences complete.

Record and report where maintenance is required and if there is the presence of pests.

LEA / Maintenance Manager

Monitor that shipping and quarantine is undertaken in accordance with legislation and guidelines.

Maintain records as appropriate. Marine Operations Manager and Facilities Manager

Illness potentially arising from mosquito or other pest bites on site will be tracked as an incident in accordance with site incident management procedures.

Maintain records as appropriate. LNG Operations HSSE Manager

8.0 Auditing

QGC maintains an EMS in accordance with the international standard AS/NZS ISO 14001. The EMS must be regularly audited to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness and meet QGC’s commitment to continual improvement.

Regular internal audits of the EMS are conducted, covering all activities within the scope of the QGC Asset EMS.

QGC will also ensure that a qualified third party auditor (accepted by the Administering Authority) undertakes compliance monitoring against the EA conditions within one (1) year of the completion of commissioning of the LNG Facility and every three years thereafter.

Auditing against relevant environmental legislation and regulations, environmental licences and permits






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9.0 Corrective Action

Table 5 outlines corrective actions that have been identified should the pest management measures be inadequate.

Table 5 – Corrective Actions

Corrective Action Responsibility

If necessary, use a licenced or otherwise qualified exterminator to undertake fogging or adopt a spraying program on the island to control mosquitos and biting midges.


When breeding sites are identified:

Identify the reason/s for any increase in breeding.

Re‐train employees in mitigation measures.

Remove or backfill areas of ponding and pooling.

Consider implementing fogging or adopting a spraying program if the breeding areas are significant.

LEA and Maintenance Manager

Vermin control may be executed by an appropriately licenced pest controller if required.


Undertake corrective actions as per the LNG Operations Waste Management Plan

Facilities Manager

Refer to LNG Operations –

Waste Management Plan, LNGOP‐QL00‐ENV‐PLN‐000005






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Definitions

Term Meaning

Administering Authority Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (formerly Department of Environment and Resource Management). The Queensland Government Department that administers the Environmental Authority under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

MARPOL 73/78 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 as modified by the Protocol of 1978.

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Acronym Meaning

AMSA Australian Maritime Safety Authority

CG Coordinator General

DAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (formerly Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS)).

EA Environmental Authority, and specifically the Environmental Authority for Petroleum Facility Licence PFL 11 (EPPG00711513)

EHP Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (formerly Department of Environment and Resource Management).

EMS Environmental Management System

EP Act Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld)

GRC Gladstone Regional Council

IMO International Maritime Organisation

LEA Lead Environmental Advisor

LNG Liquefied Natural Gas

MSQ Maritime Safety Queensland

PFL Petroleum Facility Licence

QGC QGC – A BG Group business

QCLNG Queensland Curtis LNG

SDS Safety Data Sheet






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Appendix A Fact Sheets

Cane toads Bufo marinus

Fact sheet PEST ANIMAL

The cane toad is not a declared pest in Queensland, so there is no legal requirement to control them.

Their original introduction in 1935 was to control agricultural pests, but they proved ineff ective.

For the past 60 years, cane toads have been expanding their territory in Australia, and are capable of colonising at least four of the mainland Australian states.

As the toad’s geographical range continues to expand, concern has increased about their detrimental environmental effects, particularly on the wetlands of the Northern Territory.

Studies into the feasibility of biological control have commenced.

History of introduction and spread

The cane toad or giant toad is an amphibian, native to Central and South America. Cane toads been introduced throughout the world as a biological control for insect pests of agriculture, most notably sugarcane.

A consignment of cane toads from Hawaii was released into Queensland cane fields in 1935. The introduction was surrounded by controversy as to the potential costs and benefits to Australia.

It was hoped that the toad would control Frenchi and greyback beetles—pests of economic importance to the sugarcane industry.

PA21 January 2013

By 1941, however, it had become evident that the cane toad was exerting only limited control over its intended prey. There were two main reasons for this: • Greyback beetles are only rarely in contact with the

ground and Frenchi beetles invade cane fi elds at a time when the toads are absent due to a lack of protective cover.

• The cane toad has a wide-ranging and indiscriminate diet, and it was not solely dependant upon its intended prey.

The unlimited food source, suitable environment and low rates of predation allowed dynamic reproduction and spread. Toads were recorded in Brisbane only 10 years after release. The toad continues to thrive and has now invaded the Northern Territory and New South Wales (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 Current distribution of the cane toad

Description and general information

In comparison with native frog and toad species, adult cane toads have a distinctive head and face, and are large and heavily built creatures (adults may grow to 20 cm).

Following their aquatic larval stages (eggs and tadpoles), cane toads are generally encountered at night near any source of light. Cane toads are ground-dwelling—they are poor climbers and unable to jump very high.

A definite visor or awning extends over each eye and a high angular bony ridge extends from the eyes to the nose.

The parotid glands (see Figure 2) are perhaps the most characteristic feature of the adult cane toad. These glands are large, protuberant, and are situated on the head behind each ear. These glands carry a toxin.

Figure 2 Distinguishing features of the cane toad

The cane toad’s advance is only limited by environmental factors, such as the availability of water for breeding, tolerable temperatures, suitable shelter and an abundance of food.

Toads at the frontier of their range of expansion may be larger than those in established populations. This is most probably due to greater food supply, combined with a lower incidence of disease.

Ridge extending over eyes to the nose

Parotid glands

Awning over eyes

The cane toad’s hands and feet are relatively small and lack discs at the tips of the digits. Webbing is absent between the fingers but is distinct and leathery between the toes.

Colouring on the dorsal (upper) surface may be brown, olive-brown or reddish-brown. The ventral (under) surface varies from white to yellow and is usually mottled with brown.

Warts are present on all cane toads; however, males possess more than females. Warts are dark brown at the caps.

Mating

Mating can occur at any time of the year and depends only on available food and permanent water. The mating call is a continuous purring trill that sounds like a running motor.

In situations where females are scarce or absent, male cane toads may have the ability to undergo a sex change to become fertile females; however, this has not been proved.

2 Cane toads Bufo marinus

Eggs

Both cane toads and native frogs spawn in slow-moving or still water, but their eggs can be easily distinguished.

Cane toad eggs are laid in long, gelatinous ‘strings’ with the developing tadpoles appearing as a row of small black dots along the length. The strings are unique to cane toads, with native frogs eggs laid in clusters, generally appearing as blobs of jelly attached to water plants or debris. Native frogs generally produce egg clusters as mounds of foam floating on the water surface.

Compared with native species, cane toad egg production is dynamic and a single clutch can contain up to 35 000 eggs. Remove any cane toad eggs found in the water and allow to dry out.

Figure 3 Drawing of toad spawn from Wildlife of greater Brisbane

Tadpoles

The cane toad is the only species in Australia that has a pure black tadpole. Native frogs have lighter-coloured undersides with a great range of colours and markings— cane toad tadpoles may turn paler colours to almost transparent at night.

Cane toad tadpoles are small and usually congregate in vast, slow-moving shoals. This ‘shoaling’ behaviour is uncharacteristic of most native species.

Unlike cane toad tadpoles, native species develop lungs at an early stage and periodically rise to the surface in order to exchange their lung gasses. Large groupings of tadpoles that do not break the water surface for air indicate cane toads.

Young toads

Following emergence from the water, the young toadlets usually congregate around the moist perimeter of the water body for about a week before they eventually disperse.

Young toads are very difficult to distinguish from the native Uperoleiea species, which also have parotid glands, but all Uperolelea species have bright red patches in the groin area.

Under ideal conditions toadlets may reach adult size within a year.

Toxicity

Bufo marinus produce venom in glands occurring in most of the skin on their upper surface. The venom is concentrated in the parotid glands as a creamy-white solution, which is released when the animal experiences extreme provocation or direct localised pressure (e.g. grasped by the mouth of a predator).

The parotid solution is highly toxic and when ingested it produces drastic acceleration of the heartbeat, shortness of breath, salivation and prostration. It is extremely painful if accidentally rubbed into the eye.

Ingestion of toads by domestic and most native animals can result in death. In some recorded cases, death has occurred within 15 minutes.

Field observations suggest that some predatory Australian species have learned how to feed safely on cane toads.

Birds have been observed flipping toads over to avoid the parotid glands. Predatory reptiles may have more trouble adapting, being unable to remove a toad from the mouth once they start feeding.

Effects on wildlife

The cane toad is poisonous at all stages of its life cycle and most native frog larvae and many aquatic invertebrates are dramatically affected by their presence.

Cane toads are voracious feeders that consume a wide variety of insects, frogs, small reptiles, mammals and even birds. Perhaps the only limiting factor to the prey taken is the width of the cane toad’s mouth.

It has been suggested that cane toad competition for food and breeding grounds has been responsible for reducing the populations of some native frogs. However, many native frogs are arboreal (tree-dwelling) and occupy different niches. Cane toads don’t have the native frogs’ ability to ‘shut down’ during dry seasons when resources are limited.

Pressure from cane toads may displace native animals (frogs and other species) where they already suff er due to manipulation of their habitat by humans and grazing animals. Animals that use waterholes as retreat sites during the dry season are especially vulnerable—toads will congregate here in large numbers.

Public health

Cane toads readily eat animal and human faecal material and, in areas of poor hygiene, they have been known to transmit disease such as salmonella.

Cane toads Bufo marinus 3

Control

Control of cane toads is not enforced as there is currently no available effective broad scale control. Individuals and community groups have carried out removal campaigns to decrease numbers and slow the invasion front.

Fencing is recommended to keep toads out of ponds intended for native fish and frogs; a height of 50 cm is sufficient. Bird wire with 1 cm holes may keep toads out of an area.

Research indicates that spread can be delayed in semi-arid areas by blocking access to water holes.

Individual toads may be killed relatively humanely using a commercial spray available from hardware stores or may be stunned and decapitated (only by experienced operators). The removal of eggs from small water bodies such as frog ponds can be eff ective

Researchers have successfully mitigated impacts in recently colonised areas by ‘training’ predators however, large scale application of this technique is diffi cult.

Injured or ‘lost’ frogs

Brisbane Forest Park 07 3300 4855

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland 07 3221 0194

Queensland Museum 07 3840 7555

WILVO’s Wildlife Volunteer’s Organistaion (check your local phone directory to see if a group operates in your area).

Further information

Further information is available from your local government office, or by contacting Biosecurity Queensland (call 13 25 23 or visit our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au).

This fact sheet is developed with funding support from the Land Protection Fund.

Fact sheets are available from Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) service centres and our Customer Service Centre (telephone 13 25 23). Check our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the latest version of this fact sheet. The control methods referred to in this fact sheet should be used in accordance with the restrictions (federal and state legislation, and local government laws) directly or indirectly related to each control method. These restrictions may prevent the use of one or more of the methods referred to, depending on individual circumstances. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, DAFF does not invite reliance upon it, nor accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by actions based on it.

© The State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2013

www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au

www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au

Fact sheet DECLARED CLASS 2 PEST ANIMAL

Feral cat ecology and control

A descendant of the African wild cat (Felis silvestris lybica), the common ‘house’ cat (Felis catus) has now been domesticated for about 4000 years. Although the domestic cat has a long history of association with humans, it retains a strong hunting instinct and can easily revert to a wild (feral) state when abandoned or having strayed from a domestic situation.

Semi-feral cats live around dump sites, alleys or abandoned buildings, relying on humans by scavenging rubbish scraps and sheltering in abandoned structures. The true feral cat does not rely on humans at all, obtaining its food and shelter from the natural environment.

Declaration detailsThe feral cat is declared as a Class 2 species under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. Declared species represent a threat to primary industries and natural resources, and have a social impact on other human activities.

Legislation describes a feral cat as one that is not fed and kept by someone. The word ‘kept’ specifically means that the cat is housed in a domestic situation.

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Description and general informationThe feral cat differs little in appearance from its domestic counterpart; however, when in good condition, the feral cat displays increased overall muscle development, especially noticeable around the head, neck and shoulders, which gives the animal a more robust appearance. The average body weight of male feral cats is 3–6 kg, while females weigh 2–4 kg. Body weights vary with condition, with some extremely large specimens documented.

Australian feral cats are predominantly short-haired, with coat colours that range between ginger, tabby, tortoiseshell, grey and black. White markings may be present on the feet, belly, chest and throat; completely white feral cats are extremely rare. In established populations, coat colours are the result of a natural, genetically selective process. Terrain, predators and the ability to capture prey limit coat colours to those that provide the most suitable camouflage and cause a predominance of these colours in subsequent offspring. Ginger cats are more likely to be found in the semi-arid and desert areas, while grey and black specimens generally predominate in scrub and more heavily timbered habitats.

The feral cat is most active at night, with peak hunting activity occurring soon after sunset and in the early hours before sunrise. At night the cat displays a distinctive green eyeshine under spotlight, making it easily distinguishable from other animals. During the day it will rest in any number of den sites, which may include hollow logs, dense clumps of grass, piles of debris, rabbit burrows, and even the hollow limbs of standing trees.

The most obvious and characteristic field signs of feral cats are their scats (droppings). Unlike the domestic cat, the feral cat does not bury its scats, but leaves them exposed at prominent sites to warn other cats of its territorial boundary.

History of introduction and dispersalThere is some evidence to suggest that the cat was present in Australia long before European settlement. This may have occurred as a result of Dutch shipwrecks and regular visits to northern Australia by early South-East Asian vessels as long as 500 years ago.

Post-settlement dispersal resulted from cats straying from areas of early colonisation. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, large numbers of cats were purposely released in many rural areas to combat plague numbers of rabbits. Unwanted cats continue to be released into urban and rural areas by irresponsible pet owners.

The feral cat is now present Australia-wide, thriving under all climatic extremes and in vastly different types of terrain.

Population dynamicsMale cats attain sexual maturity at about 12 months, whereas females are capable of reproduction at approximately seven months. Annually, and under ideal conditions, an adult female can produce up to three litters—each of usually four kittens, but varying from two to seven.

As the breeding instinct is triggered by the increasing length of daylight, litters are less frequent in winter. Most reproduction occurs during the spring and summer months, and is generally limited to two litters per year. Birth follows a gestation period of 65 days, and kittens may be reared in a single den site or may be frequently shifted to other sites within the female’s home range. Family and litter bonding begin to break down when the kittens are approximately seven months old. The female’s ability to bear litters does not decrease with age, so reproduction continues for the course of her life.

Social organisation and behaviourFeral cats maintain stable home ranges, the sizes of which depend upon the relative abundance of food and the availability of suitable den sites. Dominant male cats may have territories of up to 8 km2, while the territories of females are smaller and may even be halved while kittens are being reared.

Scent glands are present on the chin, at the corners of the mouth, and in the anal region. Territorial boundaries are maintained by scent marking with the cheek glands, pole-clawing, urinating and leaving exposed faecal deposits.

2 Feral cat ecology and control

Although feral cats are often thought of as being solitary animals, studies show this behaviour is generally limited to hunting activities. At other times feral cats display a degree of social interaction that peaks during the breeding season. Group behaviour has been observed in semi-feral populations, and it has been suggested that such behaviour is exhibited also in feral populations.

Groups usually comprise several related adult females, their young of both sexes, and an adult male—whose range may include other groups of females. Young females usually remain in a group, while young males either leave or are driven from the group as they reach sexual maturity.

Effects on wildlifeThe energy expended by an adult male cat requires it to consume 5–8% of its body weight in prey per day, while females raising kittens require 20%. Based on these figures, one study concluded that 375 feral cats on Macquarie Island would consume 56 000 rabbits and 58 000 sea birds per year. Where present on the mainland, rabbits may comprise up to 40% of a feral cat’s diet. Cats are successful as a control mechanism only when rabbit densities are low. At other times cat predation does little to halt the build-up or spread of rabbit populations; rabbits merely help to support a larger number of cats. When seasonal shortages of rabbits occur there is a corresponding rise in the number of native animals taken by cats.

The feral cat is an opportunistic predator, and dietary studies have shown that small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and even fish can be taken as prey. Cat predation is particularly harmful in island situations, and a number of species have become extinct due to the introduction of cats by early sealers and lighthouse keepers. On the mainland, native animals—which already suffer due to the destruction of their habitats by man and other introduced animals—may be endangered further by cat predation. Actual competition for prey can cause a decline in the numbers of native predatory species such as quolls, eagles, hawks and reptiles.

Not only do native animals bear the brunt of predation, but they also suffer the effects of a parasite that reproduces only in the intestine of the cat. This disease (toxoplasmosis) is particularly harmful to marsupials, which may develop blindness, respiratory disorders, paralysis, and suffer the loss of offspring through abortion and stillbirths.

Exotic disease—rabiesDue to their widespread distribution, feral cats may prove to be a major vector for this fatal viral disease if it ever enters Australia. Overseas studies have revealed that wounds inflicted by rabid cats are more dangerous than those caused by rabid dogs. While the bites of rabid dog are generally inflicted on the arms and legs, the cat attacks the head of its victim, biting and clawing viciously. These head and facial bites reduce the time taken for the virus to enter the central nervous system, lessening the chance of success from subsequent remedial treatment.

PreventionCentral to the management of feral cat populations, is the control of owned and stray cat populations that constitute a source of cats capable of moving into the feral cat population. Promoting responsible cat ownership and limiting food sources for stray cats such as by fencing garbage dumps are examples of effective control strategies that assist in feral cat management.

ControlThe Australian Government has recognised feral cats as a key threatening process under federal legislation and has published a Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for Feral Cats which provides a framework for feral cat control. The TAP acknowledges that it is very difficult to control feral cats and that feral cats will never be fully eradicated. Instead the TAP places an emphasis on the eradication of feral cats from high conservation areas. As an example, feral cats have been successfully eradicated from North West Island, Queensland and Tasman Island Tasmania and exclusion fencing has been successfully used to form mainland ‘islands’ prior to feral cat eradication in Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

Even though broad scale control is difficult, a range of management options is available to individuals and local governments to assist in minimising feral cat impacts. Feral cats can be controlled by shooting, trapping and baiting, as long as the control is done in a humane manner. Research has shown that feral cat populations can increase after increases in prey animal numbers (e.g. after a mouse plague). Impacts can be worst after prey numbers decline and the cats switch to native animals as prey. In areas with established rabbit populations, there is a relationship between feral cat and rabbit numbers. It is best practice to control feral cats and rabbits at the same time.

3 Feral cat ecology and control

Control after feral cat numbers have increased and when prey numbers are on the decline is advocated.

ExclusionFencing is the only feasible method of control when special areas need protection from cats. Feral cats have been successfully prevented from climbing over netted fences that use an electrified wire mounted 15 cm from the top and 10 cm outward from the fence. Non-electrified fencing should incorporate a netted ceiling, or a curved overhang, which prevents the cat from climbing straight up and over the fence.

ShootingNight shooting is assisted by the cat’s distinctive, green eyeshine. Cats have been successfully attracted by the use of a fox whistle.

PoisoningCommercial processed or fresh meat baits poisoned with 1080 may be used for controlling feral cats. The 1080 poison and processed baits can only be obtained through licensed Biosecurity Queensland officers and local government operators.

Under the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996, administered by the Queensland Department of Health, 1080 use is subject to strict regulatory control including that baits must not be laid within two kilometres of any habitation (i.e. any dwelling except that of the owner of the land being baited) or public amenity, or within five km of a town area, unless authorised by Biosecurity Queensland and the landholder must give at least three days notice of the intended laying of baits to every resident and/or occupier of the land adjoining or having frontage to the holding, road or reserve on which the poisoned baits are to be laid.

Trapping

Rubber-jawed, leg-hold traps (see below) can be laid in the same manner as they are laid for dingoes and foxes. Leg-hold traps can work well with true feral cats, which would normally avoid the live-capture box traps.

Ideal sites are those where territorial markers, such as faecal deposits and pole-clawing, are noticed. Tuna fish oil has shown some success as an attractant; however, feral cats seem more readily attracted to a site by some visual stimulus such as a bunch of bird feathers hung from a bush or stick.

Cats are easily trapped in wire ‘treadle-type’ box traps (see diagram at right). This method is most practical for semi-feral urban cats. Attractants/lures may be of meat or fish and should be placed so that they cannot be reached through the wire and be retrieved by clawing.

A number of local governments lend cat traps for the purpose of removing stray and feral cats in urban situations.

Rubber-jawed leg-hold trap

Treadle box trap

Further informationFurther information is available from your local government office, or by contacting Biosecurity Queensland (call 13 25 23 or visit our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au).

Fact sheets are available from Department of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) service centres and our Business Information Centre (telephone 13 25 23). Check our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the latest version of this fact sheet. The control methods referred to in this fact sheet should be used in accordance with the restrictions (federal and state legislation, and local government laws) directly or indirectly related to each control method. These restrictions may prevent the use of one or more of the methods referred to, depending on individual circumstances. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, DAFF does not invite reliance upon it, nor accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by actions based on it.

© The State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 2012 CS1659

Control of feral pigs

InQueensland,feralpigs(sus scrofa)aredeclaredClass2animalsundertheLand Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002andtheircontrolistheresponsibilityofeverylandholder.

Feralpigsaredifficulttocontrolforanumberofreasons.

• Theyarenocturnalanimals,campingthroughthedayinmainlyinaccessiblevegetationwherevehicleaccessisoftenimpossible.

• Pigshavearelativelyshortgestationperiodandproducealargenumberofoffspring,sorepeatedcontrolprogramsmustbeconductedbeforeanysustainedpopulationreductionisachieved.

• Theyareomnivores:aspeciesthateatsbothplantsandanimalsastheirprimaryfoodsource,whichmakessuccessfulpre-feedingdifficult.

• Theirhomerangesarelarge—between2and50km2;thus,controlprogramsneedtobeconductedoverawidearea(oftenincludingseveralproperties)tobeeffective.

Formoreinformationonferalpigdistribution,ecologyandimpactseethefactsheetFeral pigs in Queensland.

How to develop a pig control strategyThestrategicmanagementofferalpigsisaimedatminimisingthedamagetheycausetoprimaryproductionandconservationareas.

Strategicmanagementinvolvesfourkeycomponents:

Defining the problem—first,youneedtodefinethetrueimpactofferalpigsonthevaluedresource.Thissetsajustifiablecostofcontrol.

Management plan—next,itisimportanttodeterminethebestcombinationofcontrolmethodsforyourcontrolprogram.Oftenthemosteffectiveapproachistocoordinateonalocalandregionallevel.

Implementation—actionsofteninvolvethecooperationwithneighbouringlandmanagers,bothprivateandpublic.

Monitoring and evaluation—monitoringdeterminesthecost-effectivenessofeachcontrolmethodandtheoverallefficiencyofthestrategy.Evaluationestablishesifandhowmanagementshouldbechanged.


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TrappingTrappingisanimportanttechniquethatismostusefulinpopulatedareas,onsmallerproperties(<5000ha),andwheretherearelowpignumbers.Trappingcanbeusefulin‘moppingup’survivorsfrompoisoningprograms.Itismostsuccessfulwhenfoodresourcesarelimited.

Triggermechanismsforpigtrapscanbemadepig-specificandthereforeposelittledangertootherwildordomesticanimals.

Advantages• Thisisthesafestformofcontrolandcanbesafely

undertakenoncloselypopulatedareas.• Flexibleandcanbeincorporatedintoroutine

propertyactivities,makingeconomicaluseoflabourandmaterials.

• Carcasescanbesafelydisposedof.• Trapscanbemovedandre-used;goodtrapping

makesuseofopportunitiesastheyarise.• Costoftrapscanbeoffsetbysellingtrappedpigs.• Normalpigbehaviourisnotaltered,whichallowsa

greaternumberofthetotalpopulationinanareatoberemoved.

• Morehumanetopigsandnon-targetspecies.

Disadvantages• Canbetimeconsumingandexpensivetoconstruct

andmaintain.• Mustbecheckedregularly.• Notpracticalforlarge-scalecontrol.• Somepigsaretrapshy.

Tips• Stopallactivitiesthatwilldisturbnormalfeeding

(i.e.donotundertakeanyshootingordogging).• Freefeedingpriortoactivatingtrapsisanessential

partofsuccessfultrapping.• Feedingsitesshouldbeplacedwhereferalpigs

areactive(i.e.waterpoints,holesinfences,areascontainingoldcarcassesonwhichpigshavebeenfeeding).

• Baitfortrapsmustbefoodthatpigsusuallyeatinthatarea.Pigsfeedingononecrop(e.g.sugarcane)willoftennottaketoalternativefoods.However,newbaitsaresometimesattractive(e.g.fermentedgrains).

• Thetrapcanbebuiltaroundthefeedingsite,withfeedingwithinthetrapundertakenforseveralnightsbeforeitisset.

• Setthetrapeverynightandcheckeachday.Ifthetrapcannotbecheckeddailythenshadeandwatermustbeprovided.

• Continuetotrapuntilnomorepigsarecaught.Achangeofbaitcanbetried.Again,feedforoneortwonightsbeforere-settingthetrap.

• Trapsmaybeleftpermanentlyinlocationsusedbypigsandcanbepre-baitedandactivatedwhenfreshsignsofpigsappear.

• Ifthetrapistobemoved,startfeedingatthenewsitebeforere-locatingthetrap.

DesignThereareseveraltrapdesignsbutallareprincipallyanenclosedareawithone-waygates(seeFigure1).

Themainareaofthetrapcanbeanyshapeandbemadefrommaterialsontheproperty.Thebestmaterialissteelmeshwithagrid100×100mm,withaminimumheightofatleast1.5m.Starpicketsneedtobeplacednomorethan1.5mapartandimbeddedfarenoughtoensurethatadultpigscannotpushthemoverorliftthemupoutoftheground.

Alternative trap entrances

Funnel entrance

Formedbythetwoendsofthemeshformingafunnel,theendsaretiedtogetheratthetopwithwireorrope.Thepigmovesthroughthefunnelforcingthebottomofthemeshendsapartandonceitisinthetraptheendsspringbacktogether(seeFigure2).

Figure 1. Alternative entrances

Tripped gate entrance

Aside-hingedgateispulledshutbyspringsandisheldopenbymanysystemsthatcanbetriggeredtoallowthegatetoswingshut.Oftentripwiresareused,butmanyothersystemshavebeentried.Mostofthesesystemsarenotselectiveforferalpigsandcanbetriggeredbyanyanimalattractedtothebait.Oncetriggeredthetrapisnolongereffectiveintrappingpigs.

2 Control of feral pigs

Figure 2. Silo trap with funnel entrance (14 m of silo mesh diameter about 4.5 m

Pig-specific trigger

Byfarthesimplestandmosteffectivetriggersystemhasthegateheldopenbyabar(oftenabranchorpieceofwood)whichishookedoverthewireonthegateandonthesidepanel(seeFigure3).

Pigsrootingforfeedinthetrapliftthebarallowingthegatetoswingshut.Thespecificfeedinghabitofpigsinsurestheyaretheonlyanimalsthatliftthetriggerbar.

Thegatemaybelatchedtopreventpigsfromopeningthedooroncetriggered.However,thiswillpreventmorepigspushingtheirwayintojointhoseinside.

Figure 3a. Pig-specific trigger

Figure 3b. Close up of pig-specific trigger

PoisoningPoisoningisthemosteffectivecontrolmethodavailablethatcanquicklyreduceapigpopulation.

Sodiumfluoroacetate(1080)isrecommended,butcanonlybesuppliedthroughpersonsauthorisedundertheHealthAct.Yourlocallandprotectionofficeroryourlocalgovernmentofficeshouldbeabletoassistyou.

Phosphorus-basedpoisonsareavailable,butarenotrecommendedastheyareinhumane,lesseffectivethan1080,andcanresultinpoisoningofnon-targetspecies.

Pre-feedingisthemostimportantstepinpoisoningoperations.Freefeedingwithnon-poisonedbaitshouldbeperformedforseveraldayspriortolayingpoisonedbaits.

Byselectingbaitwisely,landholderscanbespecies-selectiveintheirpoisoningprogramandavoidmanyoftheunintentionaleffectsofsecondarypoisoning.

Baitmaterialsuchasfermentedgrainsareveryattractivetopigsbutnottootheranimals,whileitisagoodideatoestablishafreefeedingroutinesothatpigsaretheonlyanimalsfeeding—theykeepothernon-targetsawayfromthefeedingsite.Notethatferalpigsareoneofthefewanimalsthatwilldigupbait.

Shooting and the use of dogsShootingpigsbyhelicopteriseffectiveininaccessibleareaswherepigsexistinreasonablenumbersandareobservablefromtheair.

Theweaponsrecommendedareshotgunswith‘buckshot’(SG)cartridgesandhigh-powered.308rifleswithabulletweightinexcessof150grains,preferablyhollowpointorsoftpointprojectiles.

Groundshootingisnoteffectiveinreducingthepigpopulationunlessintenseshootingisundertakenonasmall,isolatedandaccessiblepopulationofpigs.

3 Control of feral pigs

Dogsmaybeusedtoremovethefewremainingpigsleftafterpoisoningandtrappingcampaigns.Dogsareabletolocateandflushpigsoutofareasofthickcover.

Donotusedogsorshootinareasbeforeorduringpoisoningortrappingoperations.

FencingThoughanexpensiveoption,fencingcanoffersuccessfulpigcontrol.Researchhasindicatedthatthemostsuccessfulpig-prooffencesarealsothemostexpensive.

Themosteffectivepig-prooffencesusefabricatedsheepmeshheldclosetothegroundbyplainorbarbedwireandsupportedonsteelposts.

Electrifyingaconventionalfencegreatlyimprovesitseffectivenessifusedbeforepigshaveestablishedapaththroughthefence.

Pigswilloftenchargeanelectricfenceandunlessthefenceincorporatesfabricatednettingtheyoftensuccessfullybreachthefence.

Forcropprotectionortoavoidlambpredation,pig-prooffencesneedtobeconstructedbeforethepigsbecomeaproblem.Oncepigshaveadjustedtofeedingongrainorlambsinaparticularpaddockfencingmaybeineffective.

Diseases and parasites carried by pigsFeralpigsareknowntocarrymanydiseasesthatcaninfectotherlivestockandbetransmittedtohumans.

Diseasesmostlikelytoaffectpeopleare:

• sparganosis—aparasitethatcaninfestthemuscles• leptospirosis—aseriousillnesswhichcausesvery

hightemperatures,kidneyproblemsandjaundice• Qfever—adiseasethatcancauseveryhigh

temperatureandresultinsevereheartproblems.

QfeverandleptospirosishavesymptomssimilartoRossRiverfever,andcanbecontractedfromcontactwithblood,meatandurinethroughbrokenskin,intakeofurine-contaminatedfoodorwater,andinhalationofinfectiousair-borneorganisms.Bothcanbefatal.

Itisadvisabletoavoidhandlingferalpigsunlesstheyareslaughteredatlicensedpremiseswherethereisafull-timemeatinspectorondutytoensurethatanimalsarefreeoftheabovediseases.

Further informationFurtherinformationisavailablefromyourlocalgovernmentoffice,orbycontactingBiosecurityQueensland(call132523orvisitourwebsiteatwww.biosecurity.qld.gov.au).

BiosecurityQueenslandgratefullyacknowledgesthecontributionfromChoquenot,D.,McIlroy,J.andKornT.(1996)Managing Vertebrate Pests: Feral Pigs,BureauofResourceSciences,AGPS,Canberra.CommonwealthofAustraliacopyrightreproducedbypermission.

FactsheetsareavailablefromDepartmentofEmployment,EconomicDevelopmentandInnovation(DEEDI)servicecentresandourBusinessInformationCentre(telephone132523).Checkourwebsiteatwww.biosecurity.qld.gov.autoensureyouhavethelatestversionofthisfactsheet.Thecontrolmethodsreferredtointhisfactsheetshouldbeusedinaccordancewiththerestrictions(federalandstatelegislation,andlocalgovernmentlaws)directlyorindirectlyrelatedtoeachcontrolmethod.Theserestrictionsmaypreventtheuseofoneormoreofthemethodsreferredto,dependingonindividualcircumstances.Whileeverycareistakentoensuretheaccuracyofthisinformation,DEEDIdoesnotinviterelianceuponit,noracceptresponsibilityforanylossordamagecausedbyactionsbasedonit.

©TheStateofQueensland,DepartmentofEmployment,EconomicDevelopmentandInnovation,2010 PR10–5206

http://www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au


European red foxVulpes vulpes

Declaration detailsUnder the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002, the fox is a declared Class 2 pest animal and it is the responsibility of landholders to control foxes on their own land. Foxes cannot be kept in captivity or introduced to Queensland without a permit.

Description and general informationThe most common and widespread of the world’s many fox species is the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Foxes are a major pest species in Australia that threaten agricultural and native species alike. Foxes have pointed muzzles, flattened slender skulls, large ears and long bushy tails. Adult male foxes weigh around 6 kg, while females weigh about 5 kg.

Habitat and distributionThe European red fox was deliberately introduced into Australia in 1845. First released near Melbourne for sporting purposes, it spread rapidly. By 1893, it had become a nuisance in north-eastern Victoria and by 1930 it occupied most of southern Australia.

Next to wild dogs, the fox is the largest land-dwelling carnivorous mammal in Australia. Foxes are adapted to a variety of different habitats, ranging from deserts to urban environments. However, foxes are not found in tropical Australia. Competition with dingoes, climatic preferences and food supply likely determine their distribution.

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Current distribution of the European red fox

DietFoxes in Queensland are primarily carnivorous (meat-eating) scavengers and opportunistic predators. Although they consume a varied diet of rabbits, rodents, frogs, birds, insects and even fruit, most of their diet in Queensland consists of kangaroo and sheep carrion.

Fox predation is considered the greatest threat to the long-term survival of many small marsupial species in Australia. Long-term studies have shown that rock wallaby and malleefowl populations are probably regulated by fox predation. Predation on birds and reptiles appears seasonal.

Growth and reproductionFoxes breed once a year. Over a period of 2−3 weeks in early winter females come into oestrus for 2−3 days. Males appear to be fertile throughout winter and early spring.

The fox’s gestation period is 51−53 days. Cubs are generally born in burrows but litters have been found in hollow trees, rock crevices, under houses or in stick-rake piles. Litter size ranges from 4–10.

Although red foxes have generally been considered monogamous, communal denning has now been recorded, as well as the presence of ‘helpers’ at the den.

The proportion of vixens that breed varies greatly between areas (ranging from 30% to nearly 100%).

Fox populations can withstand up to 75% yearly mortality rates and recover to pre-control population levels. Recovery rates are dependent on immigration rates and breeding.

BehaviourFoxes generally disperse from where they were born in autumn at 6−9 months of age. Dispersal behaviour varies between males and females and between individuals of the same litter. Females generally disperse 3−15 km and males 11−43 km, although distances of 170 km have been recorded.

Foxes were previously thought to be solitary, but recent evidence suggests that fox family groups occupy well-defined home ranges. Rural home ranges in Australian are about 500 ha; however, this depends on resource availability.

Foxes are usually active at night and rest during the day in an earth den (often an enlarged rabbit burrow), thicket, hollow log or stick-rake pile. In winter, when there is less food available, foxes may hunt and scavenge during the day.

Although paths may cross many times each night, foxes within a group tend to forage in different parts of the group’s territory. Dominant animals monopolise the best habitat.

Faeces and urine are used to define territories by scent marking conspicuous landmarks like tussocks of grass and rabbit warrens. These scent marks are distributed throughout the fox’s range, especially in places that are visited often. Dominant animals scent mark with urine more than subordinates.

Foxes communicate by sound as well as by scent marking and body language. Young foxes use aggressive yapping and a resonant howl during the winter mating season. Vixens and pups will bark and whimper softly. Adult foxes also scream.

Causes of mortalityMortality of young foxes is generally high, with up to 80% dying in the first year. Poisoning, hunting, roadkills, disease, food shortage and social factors contribute to mortality.

Most foxes live less than four years, although eight-year-old foxes in the wild have been reported. Mange and distemper are thought to be important causes of mortality in wild fox populations; however, little is known about their role in regulating Australian fox populations.

Predation on livestockIn some circumstances red foxes may kill lambs and goat kids. Fox predation on healthy, viable lambs is generally less than 5%; however, this varies between properties. Individual rogue foxes can cause high stock losses. Furthermore, red foxes, as well as dingoes/wild dogs, are noted for ‘surplus killing’ and will kill multiple easy prey animals despite an abundance of carrion.

Foxes usually attack the throat of lambs and kids, although some are killed by multiple bites to the neck and back. This may result from young animals being caught while lying down. Foxes do not have the size and strength to hold and immobilise adult sheep or goats, or to crush large bones; therefore, repeated bites may be required to subdue prey.

Foxes generally prefer large internal organs and begin feeding through an entry behind the ribs. However, some

Current fox distribution

Possible fox distribution in years of favourable rainfall

2 European red fox Vulpes vulpes

target the nose and tongue and may consume the head of small prey. Red foxes are noted for carrying small carcases back to their dens to feed their young, which may account for some poultry, lambs and kids that disappear and are never found.

One way to distinguish fox kills from wild dog attacks is that foxes rarely cause severe bone damage to stock. Poultry can, however, be badly damaged through fox attacks.

Urban foxesBoth in Australia and overseas foxes readily survive and prosper in urban environments. Fox densities in Melbourne are reported to be as high as 16 per km2 compared to densities generally less than 2 per km2 in most semi-arid grazing areas.

The distribution of urban foxes depends on the availability of suitable daytime hiding places. While foxes in urban areas are generally found in remnant bushland or parks, foxes can find refuge under railway platforms, houses or sheds, or in quiet gardens. The availability or distribution of food supply in any given habitat will also affect the distribution of urban foxes. Bushland areas in and around cities provide ideal shelter.

In urban areas, foxes eat a diversity of food types including small birds, worms, insects, fruit and food put out by residents.

Urban foxes will rarely attack people. However, any urban fox is a wild animal and should be treated as such.

Urban foxes can be a nuisance by:

• attacking poultry and livestock in people’s yards• raiding garbage bins scavenging for food• digging holes in lawns while scavenging for food • causing domestic dogs to bark.

Rabies threatFoxes, along with other feral animals, have the potential to spread diseases such as rabies, should such diseases ever be introduced into Australia. They would also provide a reservoir of infection, making rabies almost impossible to eliminate.

Rabies is a contagious disease of virtually all mammals, including humans. Once symptoms of rabies appear, the virus is almost always fatal to both humans and animals.

This deadly virus is not established in Australia but is present in Asia.

However, we should not be complacent about the rabies issue. All foxes are capable of contracting and spreading rabies. In the Northern Hemisphere red foxes are the principal vectors and victims of the disease. Millions of foxes have been culled overseas in unsuccessful attempts to control the disease.

ControlCurrent options available for control of foxes in Queensland include poisoning, trapping, shooting, guard animals and exclusion fencing. The choice of control method should suit the individual circumstances. The potential of M-44 mechanical toxin ejectors and fertility control, such as immunocontraception, is also being researched.

PoisoningPresently there are two poisons legally available for fox control in Queensland—sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) and strychnine.

1080 poison baits are the most economical and effective method of controlling foxes. Processed (FOXOFF®) or fresh meat baits can be laid quickly by hand, vehicle or from the air, with population reductions of greater than 90% recorded from some baiting campaigns.

Baits should be placed along track and fence lines 200−500 m apart, 8−10 cm underground and covered with loose soil. Burying baits has the advantages of reducing non-target bait take (more baits for foxes) and protecting baits from the elements. All property neighbours should be notified at least 72 hours prior to baiting, and baiting signage should be erected at every property entrance and left for at least one month after baiting. Based on fox biology, the optimum time to bait is in November followed by June/July when food demand is highest (this coincides with lambing on many properties). Foxes are also often killed by 1080 baiting programs that are designed primarily to control wild dogs or feral pigs. FOXOFF® or meat baits can only be obtained through licensed Biosecurity Queensland officers and local government operators.

Queensland and Western Australia are the only two states that have not outlawed the use of strychnine for controlling foxes based on target specificity and humanity issues.

3 European red fox Vulpes vulpes

A Queensland Health permit is necessary to purchase strychnine. Cyanide capsules are currently being evaluated as an alternative toxin to strychnine.

Baits can be selectively positioned or tethered to avoid killing native non-target species. This is particularly important in areas containing native carnivores such as quolls. A fox’s keen sense of smell enables it to find baits intentionally buried in sand or otherwise hidden.

To effectively reduce the short- and long-term impact of foxes, it is highly recommended that baiting activities be coordinated among adjoining properties. Baiting of individual properties will only provide short-term success due to the high mobility of foxes and will result in rapid re-invasion.

TrappingTrapping is time consuming, labour intensive and generally ineffective for reducing fox populations. The success of trapping (using Soft-Catch® traps and snares, not illegal steel-jawed traps) depends on the skill of the operator. Trapping is predominantly used in urban areas where poisoning and shooting are restricted, where there is high risk to native species, or for live-capture research purposes.

Shooting Shooting of foxes is a highly selective, popular and widely used control technique in rural Australia. Fox shoots are normally carried out at night from a vehicle using a .222 calibre rifle with the aid of spotlights. Although the success of this method varies, depending on the shooter’s marksmanship and the wariness of the foxes, the technique is still considered ineffective for reducing fox populations over the longer term. Furthermore, the practice is biased towards young unwary juveniles and may do little to reduce the impact of foxes on lambs or wildlife. Shooting is best performed in addition to other control techniques.

Guard animalsGuard dogs, primarily maremmas, and alpacas are used to protect sheep and goats from fox predation in numerous countries, including Australia. The effectiveness of guard animals in reducing fox predation on lambs and goat kids is primarily unknown. Consequently, guard animals should not replace other control techniques until the technique is proven successful.

Although dogs have traditionally been used for guarding, alpacas have the added advantage of being herbivores and therefore do not require additional feeding. They are also less likely to wander and become problem animals themselves. This control technique is most suited to small properties on the urban fringe.

Exclusion Exclusion fencing for foxes is expensive and fences must be well maintained due to the agility of foxes and their ability to squeeze through small holes. Fencing is most often used to protect high value stock, poultry or wildlife from fox predation in areas where other control methods cannot be used (i.e. in closely settled areas).

Secure poultry runs and night yards for small livestock should be considered in areas where foxes are a problem. Foxes can dig and climb so runs and yards need to be constructed with this in mind.


Fact sheets are available from Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) service centres and our Business Information Centre (telephone 13 25 23). Check our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the latest version of this fact sheet. The control methods referred to in this fact sheet should be used in accordance with the restrictions (federal and state legislation, and local government laws) directly or indirectly related to each control method. These restrictions may prevent the use of one or more of the methods referred to, depending on individual circumstances. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, DEEDI does not invite reliance upon it, nor accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by actions based on it.

© The State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2010 PR10–5190

Wild dogsCanis familiaris

The term wild dog refers collectively to purebred dingoes, dingo hybrids and domestic dogs that have escaped or been deliberately released.

Early management strategies focused on eradication of wild dogs. The effectiveness of control campaigns was usually based on circumstantial evidence.

The development of radio-tracking technology provided the opportunity to study wild dog movement and allowed better assessment of the effectiveness of control operations.

Wild dog control methods include trapping, shooting, fencing, poisoning and the use of guard dogs to protect valuable stock. A planned strategy using a combination of these methods that also considers wild dog behaviour will enable effective management of the population.

Declaration detailsWild dogs are declared animals under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. As such, all land owners in Queensland are required to reduce the number of wild dogs on their properties.

Control

ShootingShooting is an opportunistic method, mostly used for control of small populations or individual problem animals.

Trapping

Trapping is time-consuming and labour-intensive. The success of trapping (using leg hold traps and snares) depends on the skill of the operator. Trapping is predominantly used in areas with low populations and to control ‘problem’ wild dogs.

Trapping by inexperienced operators may prove detrimental if a wild dog is exposed to a carelessly prepared and presented trap, and subsequently escapes. Such animals may become ‘trap shy’, or maimed to such a degree that they can prey only on more easily caught domestic stock.

For humane reasons and to prevent escape, poisoning traps with strychnine is recommended to quickly kill captured animals.

A mixture of dog faeces and urine is a popular lure used by trappers. Attractiveness of lures varies with seasons and locations. No single lure has yet been found that is consistently attractive to wild dogs.

Traps are best placed on the wild dog boundary pad. Here the wild dog is most likely to find and investigate the decoy/odour.

Wild dog scent posts can be found by walking with a domestic dog on a lead along a known pad. Trap placement in relation to the scent post can be optimised by observing the dog’s behaviour as it approaches. Factors to consider are:• where on the bush it smells• placement of feet while urinating/defecating• how it approaches and where it scratches in relation to

the pad and scent post.

Traps are not target-specific and should therefore be set in situations that are less likely to catch other animals. Avoid setting traps close to waterholes.

Padded jaw traps are recommended—these are more humane than steel leg-hold traps.


PA10 July 2010

FencingFencing suitable to exclude wild dogs is expensive to build and requires continual maintenance to repair damage caused by fallen timber, floods and animals. However, a properly maintained fence can restrict movement back into an area where wild dogs have been controlled.

Electric fences suitable for wild dogs have been developed. Electrifying a fence creates a fear of the fence itself and deters wild dogs from approaching.

For fencing to be successful, it must be possible to eliminate wild dogs from within the fence. The fence must be maintained in good order and occasional mopping-up measures employed to remove intruding animals.

Livestock guardian dogsLivestock guardian dogs have been used to protect livestock from predators in Europe, Asia and America. Some producers in Queensland’s south-east have decreased predation on sheep and goats using this method. However, it is less successful on larger holdings where stock are more widely scattered. The use of trapping and poisoning in conjunction with guardian dogs is not recommended.

PoisoningBaits poisoned with 1080 are the most economic, efficient, humane and effective method of controlling wild dogs, especially in inaccessible or extensive areas. Baits can be laid quickly in large numbers by hand, from vehicles and from aircraft.

Currently there are two poisons legally available for wild dog control. These are 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) and strychnine.

A Queensland Health permit is necessary to purchase strychnine. The 1080 poison can be obtained only through licensed Biosecurity Queensland officers and local government operators.

The use of poison baits will control the majority of wild dogs. Problem animals that avoid baits can then be trapped, shot or fenced-out to provide additional control.

Baits may be selectively positioned to avoid killing non-target species, as wild dogs’ keen sense of smell enables them to find baits intentionally buried in sand or otherwise hidden. Baits may also be tied to prevent their loss to non-target species.

These bait placement techniques help to:

• reduce the risk of poisoning non-target species• minimise bait removal by non-target scavengers• keep the bait moist (longer palatability)• deter ants (ant-covered baits are believed to be less

attractive to dingoes).

Allow a full month for the major effects of baiting to be realised. Heavy rain within two weeks of baiting can leach 1080 from the bait.

Management strategiesIt is generally accepted that wild dogs are in fewer numbers statewide due to the use of 1080 over the past three decades.

To increase baiting effectiveness and the duration of low wild dog numbers, it is essential that baiting programs be coordinated among adjoining properties. Baiting individual properties may result in reduced wild dog numbers in the short term, but the benefits of this will be short-lived due to rapid re-invasion.

Research has shown that recolonising wild dog populations are more prone to attack livestock than uncontrolled wild dog populations. Thus, livestock producers should aim to create a wild dog–free buffer of 10−15 km around grazing areas by regular baiting.

The principal source of re-colonising populations comes from immigration, not increased birth rate of remaining wild dogs.

The timing of control should consider seasonal variations in the availability of water (where water is restricted) and then target watering points. The phase of the biological cycle could also influence the likelihood of wild dogs coming into contact with baits and should be considered. Many graziers bait twice a year to target adults during peaks in activity associated with breeding (April/May) and then again in August/September to target pups and juveniles.

A suggested practice is to lay baits in the cooler months when birds and goannas are less active and wild dogs more active.


Fact sheets are available from Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) service centres and our Business Information Centre (telephone 13 25 23). Check our website at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au to ensure you have the latest version of this fact sheet. The control methods referred to in this fact sheet should be used in accordance with the restrictions (federal and state legislation, and local government laws) directly or indirectly related to each control method. These restrictions may prevent the use of one or more of the methods referred to, depending on individual circumstances. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, DEEDI does not invite reliance upon it, nor accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused by actions based on it.

© The State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2010 PR10–5204








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