South West Inverell Landcare Group Coordinated Pest Control Project
South West Inverell Landcare Group Coordinated Pest Control Project
Ten landholders in the South West Inverell Landcare Group (SWI) were provided with mobile pig traps, Canid Pest Ejectors and Trail Cameras in order to trap and monitor vertebrate pests, namely wild dogs, pigs and foxes.
Taking Action -
LLCI031-046
The issue
A prolonged dry spell in the district during 2015 led to an increase in reported activity of stock losses from predation by pest animals impacting on local producers relying on healthy stock numbers to return income and livelihood. Local landholders who meet regularly at coordinated Landcare meetings wanted to engage in a group coordinated effort to come together to achieve an outcome to benefit their community and environment.
The solution
Members of the South West Inverell (SWI) Landcare Group had recently undertaken Canid Pest Ejector (CPE) training and wished to then utilise CPEs in their district in order to engage in a coordinated pest control program targeting foxes, wild dogs and pigs. Gwymac Inc applied to Northern Tablelands LLS for funding in the 2015-16 Pest & Weed Drought Funding Program in April 2016 and was successful. Mobile pig traps of a design previously used by other Gwymac Inc members, with trail cameras, were to be utilised by the group for trapping and recording numbers of wild pigs. Use of the mobile pig traps which are far more portable than previous designs, allowed for more regular use and movement to new areas. The project was delivered in consultation with NT LLS Biosecurity Officers and the North East NSW Wild Dog Facilitator.
The impact
Monitoring results from the SWI Landcare Group included sightings of 31 x pigs, 22 x foxes and 1 x deer over 4000 ha in the 3 months designated for active monitoring and trapping. Landholders indicated a willingness to continue monitoring and trapping beyond the life of the project and highly valued being part of a coordinated group, knowing that other landholders and neighbours were also working to control feral pests on their own properties. It provided further motivation to maintain their own activities.
Key facts
- Landholders placed a high value on being part of a coordinated group activity.
- The provision of mobile pig traps resulted in a high level of engagement with project activities.
- Follow up workshops in the use of CPEs would have been valuable.