INVASIVE ANIMALS

The priority invasive animals list was developed by the Invasive Plants and Animals Advisory Committee using feedback supplied by stakeholders from across the local government area.

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa)

Feral cats (Felis catus)

Wild dogs (Canis familiaris)

Feral cattle (Bos taurus)

Feral horses (Equus caballus)

Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Pig trap loan scheme

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are arguably the most common and environmentally disruptive pest animal species in both rural and urban areas across Cape York Peninsula. To assist landholders in the management of feral pigs Biosecurity Services operates a pig trap loan program around Cooktown and surrounding areas.

To obtain a trap it is necessary to register your interest with Biosecurity Services and complete a Pig Trap Loan Agreement form. In some circumstances Biosecurity Services will deliver/remove the trap and, in some circumstances, euthanase and dispose of any captured animals. Trap management, including supplying bait, monitoring activity and complying with animal welfare obligations is the responsibility of the landholder.

It is a condition of loan that details relating to any animals trapped is documented, preferably by sending an image of all captured animals to the Biosecurity Services team. Should no information be received for a period of time it will be assumed that the trap is not in use. In such cases the trap will be removed as soon as additional requests are received.

Please note that during the dry season pig traps are in high demand. To ensure that this demand is met and that the traps are operating at maximum efficiency traps need to be constantly rotated. This may result in short term loans (i.e. three to four weeks only).

If you wish to participate in the pig trap loan program please contact Biosecurity Services on 4082 0500 or via email.

Sodium nitrite (Hoggone)

Sodium nitrite (trade name Hoggone) is a relatively new toxin that has been developed to selectively target feral pigs. Advantages of this product are its target specificity, capacity to be delivered using a method that prevents access to other animals and the fact that its mode of action results in a quick and humane death.

The toxin is delivered in a peanut based paste and presented in plastic trays. Use of this product is strictly regulated, can only be deployed using a custom made bait box and requires operators to progress through a series of steps before using the toxic baits. Pigs are trained to open the bait box while using fermented grain after which placebo trays of the peanut paste are provided to familiarise the animals with the bait matrix. Once feral pigs are readily consuming the placebo trays the toxic trays can be used.

Council has a limited supply of Hoggone baits that may be used in specific circumstances in peri-urban areas where trapping has been unsuccessful and the use of sodium monofluoroacetate is considered to present an unacceptable risk.

Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080)

Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) is a chemical compound found naturally in some native Australian plants that has elevated toxicity to dogs comparative to other animals. The compound is used throughout Australia as a pest animal control tool, more commonly in extensive agricultural/rural settings. When used according to specific guidelines the toxin presents little to no danger to native species. Biosecurity Services is licensed to distribute 1080 solution and provides a baiting service to certain landholders under strict conditions.

Annual baiting program

Biosecurity Services conducts bi-annual baiting programs, in response to demand, across the Cook Shire local government area. The timing of these programs is generally towards the end of August and November annually. Requests to provide baiting services outside designated programs may be accepted in some circumstances.

Restrictions

The use of sodium monofluoroacetate is strictly regulated. As a landholder you must comply with the following requirements when laying baits containing this toxin.

• Baits can only be used for the control of wild dogs and feral pigs;
• No baits are to be laid within 5 metres of a fenced boundary;
• No baits are to be laid within 5 metres of the edge of a formed public roadway;
• No baits are to be laid within 20 metres of permanent or flowing water bodies;
• No baits are to be laid within 150 metres of a dwelling;
• Owners must give at least 72 hours written notification to all neighbours with properties adjoining the holding where baits are to be laid; and
• Warning signs (available from Biosecurity Services) must be placed at all entrances to the property and at the extremities of the property boundaries fronting a public thoroughfare. Warning signs must be erected immediately before baiting and left in place for at least one month after the baits have been laid.

Please note: 1080 will only be provided to the “registered owner or occupier” (i.e. the person or persons listed on the land title and rates notice or a lessee) of the land on which baits are to be used or their authorised representative/agent. Should a landholder or occupier wish to nominate an agent to accept 1080 on their behalf they must complete and return to Biosecurity Services an Authority for Agent to Sign form.

If you are an extensive landholder or occupier and wish to participate in the annual baiting programs please contact Biosecurity Services on 4082 0500.

The Indian Myna bird is a non-native invasive bird that poses a serious threat to the environment, human health and local economies. Mynas often displace native birds at breeding time and are known to kill hatchlings and destroy eggs. They can simultaneously defend a number of nest holes, however only inhabit one. This reduces breeding opportunities for native hollow nesting birds.

The Myna bird trapping program, run by Cooktown Lion’s Club and supported by Council is in place to reduce the number of this species found in and around Cooktown. The Lion’s Club are always looking for community members interested in being involved in the trapping program. The traps do not injure the birds and all mynas are destroyed humanely in accordance with animal welfare regulations. Any off-target birds captured are released. For more information, contact Ian McCrae at the Lions Club on 0427 727 805 or by emailing ian.mccrae3@bigpond.com.