The issue
Wild dogs, feral pigs, foxes and increasingly deer populations, are having a significant impact on the local farmers and with most information sessions, they only just scratch the surface on the latest population updates and tools. There are not very many opportunities to go in the field and get an in-depth demonstration of multiple management methods and technique for
more than one species.
Additionally, within the Oberne Valley, mixed farming enterprises of grazing and copping, border corporate pine plantations, state forest, and national parks, making a lot of different stakeholder groups to engage and collaborate with for effective pest management.
The solution
Murrumbidgee Landcare coordinated with Local Land Services, Pest Lures, and a long list or corporate bodies to attend and collaborate in the project. The three-part project included:
- First, a pre feeding and monitoring survey to set a baseline for future records, showing animal movements, sign and marking territory on the 30th of September at the ‘Nundi’ property
- Second a theory-based presentation on the strategic actions, behaviour, and ecology was held on the 2nd of October in the morning
- The third part took place in the afternoon of 2nd October, in the field, with demonstrations of trapping set up and types, bait stations, which types of lures to use and effectiveness.
The impact
5 people participated in the base line property survey, 12 people for the theory and strategic presentation and 15 people in the field for traps and landscape movements.
As a result of the event, the Oberne Valley Landholders are very strong in their stance for creating a formal Oberne Valley Pest Animal Management Group. With the assistance of LLS and Landcare, this group will demonstrate to other landholders and corporate businesses, the importance and effectiveness of coordinated management actions.
Key facts • Three events held • 32 people engaged • A pest animal management group formed
