Contact Information:
National Centre for Sustainability
(03) 5022 3741
Russell Elliot (Tona)
(03) 5027 3206
The damages caused by pest animals are one of the biggest problems for
Tona station. These pests include rabbits, foxes, wild pigs, feral
goats and feral cats. Rabbits have been responsible for much of the
dune field overgrazing leading to loss of native species regeneration
and erosion. Wild pigs cause much soil disturbance and erosion on the
floodplains digging for food. This disturbance also leads to weed
invasion. Foxes are predators and scavengers. They feed on many smaller
native lizards and insects as well as ground dwelling birds. They also
actively seek out and eat turtle eggs following the laying period.
Feral cats are clever hunters being able to climb trees in search of
young birds as well as predating ground dwelling species. Feral goats
occur occasionally on Tona. Their threats include overgrazing and trampling.
Rabbit Control
Spotlight transects are undertaken monthly across the station to
identify activity numbers and locations. These transect counts allow
decisions to be made in relation to poisoning and warren fumigation.
Limited rabbit warren ripping is allowed on Tona due to the use of
warrens by many native animals. Instead only warrens that have clear
evidence of rabbit control are treated.
Fox Control
At this point in time spotlight shooting of foxes has been adequate.
Transect counts continue to show very small numbers and predation on
turtle egg areas has been reduced significantly by concentrating on
these areas into the late summer/early autumn.
Feral Cat Control
Cats always seem to be found as individuals. They are shot on sight or
if regularly seen in an area they are trapped using a small mesh
cage and tuna oil baits.
Wild Pig Control
Two main methods are used for pig control – opportunistic shooting where
individual pigs or small numbers are encountered and can be successfully
contained by shooting, and secondly trapping where larger numbers of pigs
or a group has moved in that is difficult to catch in the open. Mesh traps
are erected and baiting (pollen based pellets) undertaken to lure them
into traps where they can be shot and disposed of.
Feral Goat Control
Feral goats occur occasionally on Tona station. They are usually discovered
under general property observations or during the night transect program
which traverses all of the key land systems and grazing areas on the
property. Small numbers are shot on sight. Larger numbers are trapped. This
is based on erection of a mesh enclosure with ramp entrance and providing a
lure. Lucerne hay and fruit have proven to be effective, as is a water
supply in dry times. Goats are to be sold off the property to meat dealers
where adequate numbers are trapped.
Monitoring and Records
A monitoring program is in place for Tona station. Most of these pest animals
are better observed and understood at night. Spotlight transects are carried
out monthly. Records are kept for transects and the actions that followed.
Russell Elliot operates a daily journal to capture all other property
information including pest animal activity.
This information is to be analysed annually to better inform the program.