Warning as Aussie homeowners face 'avalanche' of destructive invasive species
Despite years of culling and government funded eradication efforts, locals say they are facing an "avalanche" of feral invaders that are wreaking havoc in their properties and gardens as well as causing a serious threat on roads.
Feral dears numbers in South Australia are said to be rising with homeowners capturing the animals trampling through their backyards not far from the city. It's a crisis that other states are dealing with but residents in greater Adelaide were hoping to avoid as future funding for eradication
Feral deer breed fast and a small population can quickly get out of control. Local man Mac Benoy says that's what appears to be happening.
"We've never had anything like it," he said of the impact they're having on his property in Mount Osmond.
"All of a sudden this year it's been like an avalanche coming through. All the neighbours are complaining about the impacts the deer are having on their garden," he told 7News.
He said their presence has really only boomed in the area since the start of the year and believes their breeding grounds can even be found near major roads, saying it's a matter of time until they cause more road accidents.
Residents aer being urged to report sightings with DeerScan, either online or via its free app.
It's estimated that there are about 40,000 feral deer in the state, but that number has the potential to grow at about 35 per cent a year. Some 20,000 have been killed in the government's eradication program since 2022, but experts say removing 15,000 a year would only keep the population stable.
Funding for eradication efforts in the state is due to end in the middle of 2025 with advocates like the Invasive Species Council calling for the cull rate to double.
"As deer have spread into urban areas around Sydney and Melbourne they have threatened the lives of motorists, destroyed gardens, contaminated critical water catchments and damaged the few remaining patches of urban bushland," former advocacy director Jack Gough said in November.
"This is a future Adelaide can avoid if this plan is properly funded and implemented."
Speaking to Yahoo News recently, Jack warned that if the problem gets out of control, it can even impact the price we pay for car insurance.
"They have an impact on road users, they cause degradation of the environment and they have a negative impact on agriculture. And in the city, it's about the impact they have in digging up people's gardens and sending people's car insurance premiums higher," he told Yahoo.
Discovery on suburban road exposes 'worst emerging' problem
Drone confirms presence of growing threat to Australia
New predatory bug species uses 'tool' to assassinate prey
While the wild animals can be found across most of Australia, they are in largest numbers in the eastern parts of Victoria and New South Wales, where they are spreading at a "huge speed", and as a result, turning up in suburban gardens.
"The numbers in southeast Australia have gone from about 200,000 to about 2 million in the last two decades. So a tenfold increase over that two-decade period," he said.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Drivers warned as tragic scene on Aussie roadside prompts calls for rule change
A driver's devastating ordeal on a quiet rural road has prompted an outcry from Aussies — with some calling for major change. Queensland's Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) confirmed to Yahoo News that a cassowary was hit by a car near Mission Beach on Thursday, with the sad scene prompting some to call for a drastic reduction in speed limits on roads that cut through the bird's natural habitat — and for drivers to pay more attention to native animals. The area in Far North Queenslad is famous for its cassowary population, with many flocking from around the world to see the giant flightless birds which are adored and feared in equal measure. Local residents regularly share excited tales of the elusuive creatures exploring their backyards, making the loss a huge blow to the community. Video shared by Mission Beach Wildcare showed the male cassowary, which "ran straight out in front of a car," lying under a blanket on the side of Tully Mission Beach Rd. The driver who hit the bird immediately called for assistance after the tragic accident. The impact of the car alone did not kill the bird, but sadly the severity of the injuries it sustained caused it to be "humanely euthanised", the department told Yahoo. Sadly, the cassowary was accompanied by two juvenile birds, who must now fend for themselves. "A member of the public reported the incident and remained with the bird until the department could arrange for a veterinarian to attend the scene and assess its condition," A DETSI spokesperson told Yahoo News. "Two juvenile cassowaries that were with their father at the time of the incident were unharmed. "Following a thorough assessment, the veterinarian determined that the juveniles were of sufficient age and stage of development to be left in the wild, rather than having to be taken into care." DETSI's policy is to avoid removing wild animals from their natural habitat unless "absolutely necessary". Yahoo Understands that officers will continue monitoring the young birds to make sure they are coping on their own. "New wildlife crossing signage has also been installed in the area to alert motorists to the presence of cassowaries along Tully Mission Beach Road and help prevent further incidents," the department said. A spokesperson for Mission Beach Wildcare explained that many of the locals know the birds well, making it an especially tough blow. The spokesperson pleaded with drivers to "please be aware of our wildlife" as traffic flow increases with the tourist season kicking in, fearing this is the first of many "more casualties on the horizon". Speed limits along the road which connects the town of Tully to Mission Beach, reach as high as 100kph in some parts, prompting calls from some local residents to drastically alter rules around speed in the region. "Drivers just need to slow down and watch out for wildlife," one local resident said, with others echoing this call. Earlier this year, NRMA released details of its Wildlife Collision Hotspots across Australia — with 12,100 claims related to cases of animals being hit by cars in 2024. The statistic makes the last 12 months the second worst in the past five years. Data revealed that the most common time for incidents to occur is in autumn and winter when days are shorter, cooler and nocturnal animals are more active. Worryingly, incidents jumped by 25 per cent between March and April last year. Sadly, there is another issue impacting cassowary populations. They are being fed by humans, causing them to cross roads "more frequently than necessary" for an easy meal. Authorities have repeatedly pleaded with tourists and residents to never feed or interact with the wild animals. The birds have been seen brazenly entering camper's tents, indicating that it has become habituated to receiving food from humans. In another incident, wild footage emerged of a cassowary chasing after a woman with a McDonald's Big Mac, renewing the pleas to steer clear of the world's most dangerous animal. DETSI said that visitors and residents can help reserve wild populations of cassowaries in the following ways: Never approach cassowaries. Never approach chicks – male cassowaries will defend them. Never feed cassowaries – it is illegal and can be dangerous for the birds and for humans. Always discard food scraps in closed bins and ensure compost bins have secure lids. Always slow down when driving in cassowary territory. Never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road. Keep dogs behind fences or on a leash. Cassowary sightings in north Queensland should be reported to QPWS by calling 1300 130 372. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Incredible drone photo shows 'prolific' problem costing Australia $100m annually
An Australian pest controller has highlighted a destructive issue impacting rural Australia, causing a $100 million burden on the agricultural industry every year. Incredible drone images of an oat paddock on the mid North Coast of New South Wales highlight just how effectively and systematically feral pigs can dig up crops in search of their next meal. Licensed shooter Nathan told Yahoo News that pigs are "prolific" in the area. It took him just four hours to take down 75 of the invasive beasts earlier this week. "It looks like a WW2 field in Normandy after a mortar barrage," he said of the destruction caused by the pests. To Nathan, it highlights exactly what a population of feral pigs can do in a "very short space of time" on soft, wet ground. In NSW, it's estimated that pigs occupy up to 60 per cent of the state. They spread weeds, disease, and outcompete native species. While it's widely accepted that feral pigs will never be completely eradicated in mainland Australia, the shocking images have prompted calls for a "realistic" approach to tackling the issue. Dr Carol Booth from the Invasive Species Council told Yahoo News pigs are "well known" for causing such damage, adding that it's a "real problem". The omnivorous animals will "eat all sorts", even digging up native turtles and their eggs. "They're after roots and grubs and insects and seeds and worms, so there's a lot of food for them in the soil," she explained. "It's not just in paddocks but in natural habitats, and you often come across diggings and instantly recognise them as pigs." The economic burden of such destruction falls heavily on crop growers and pastoralists. "If they get a big mob of pigs, they'll lose some of their crop or pasture," Booth said. President of the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA), Ned Makim previously told Yahoo the onus has fallen on landowners to eliminate the species — who he likened to rodents. Some land owners are calling in vertebrate pest controllers like Nathan while others are offering free accommodation to shooters whose sole responsibility is to keep their populations down. 🐗 Bold new national park plan to hunt invasive species 📸 Incredible photos show major triumph in $100m invasive outback battle 🔥 Unexpected way pristine Aussie island wiped out invasive threat Dr Booth said that authorities need to be "totally realistic" about what it will take to solve the huge problem of feral pigs. "They are highly adaptable and they are very widespread," she said, adding that it's "not feasible" to control their populations across the entirety of our vast country. Many have called for bounties for feral pigs, foxes and cats, with one politician telling Yahoo we're "losing the battle" against the species. But Dr Booth doesn't think it's the right solution, arguing ground shooting alone is "fairly limited" across large areas. 'If you're trying to control pigs at a landscape level, hunters are not the solution because they are not effective enough," she explained. She argues a combination of aerial shooting, ground shooting, baiting and trapping is required to manage feral pig numbers, all while focusing on key at-risk areas. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
A new survey highlights the risks of using your phone on the toilet
Life's busy, so I understand why it can be tempting to scroll on your phone while you're already, ahem, occupied in the bathroom. But that might be a bad idea. Here's why. Scrolling news on your phone while on the toilet? Totally common. But a small new survey suggests that people who use their phones on the toilet have a 46% higher risk of hemorrhoids. All that sitting can put too much pressure on the rectum, leading to those (often painful) swollen blood vessels that send nearly 4 million Americans to their doctors or emergency rooms each year. Not fun. Doctors recommend spending no more than three to 10 minutes on the toilet, which is hard to do if you're watching TikToks or texting. Instead, make your bathroom a no-phone zone and keep your visits short — your tush will thank you for it. [ScienceAlert] What do you spend the most time doing on your phone? Let me know! About One Small Thing: One Small Thing is a daily health newsletter from Yahoo News.
