Current Issues

Trial aerial baiting of dingoes for inside Dog Fence: Media Release, 10 April 2012

Environment to benefit from fledgling camel business

Weeds under the spotlight in comprehensive review

Mice

Camel tracking in the Simpson Desert (PDF 897.3 KB )
more on camels

Recent Publications

Alert Weed Fact Sheets

Alert Pest Animal Fact Sheets

Biological control of weeds fact sheets

List of weeds banned from sale in SA (PDF 312.5 KB )

Pest Animals

Australia is particularly susceptible to the establishment of exotic vertebrate pests because of its isolation from other lands over millions of years. In the 200 years plus of European settlement, many species of exotic vertebrates have become established as a result of deliberate or accidental releases.

It has been estimated that pest animals cost Australia $743.5 million annually, (Gong W, et al). Vertebrate pests established in South Australia include European rabbits,  foxes, feral goats, feral camels and feral deer; biosecurity programs in South Australia focus on reducing the extent and impacts of such species. For example, biocontrol has reduced the impact of rabbits, but nationally they still cost agriculture about $206 million annually, (Gong W, et al).  Other programs focus on preventing incursions of new species into South Australia, such as the cane toad (pdf 621.9 KB ) and red-eared slider turtle (pdf 922.3 KB ) .

Feral Goat herding. Image: R Henzell.

European Rabbit. Image: Scott Jennings.

Fox and cat predation is a major threat to the survival of small terrestrial reptiles and mammals (for example, bandicoots and tammar wallabies) and ground-nesting birds (for example, mallee fowl and little tern). Besides environmental and economic impacts, vertebrate pests can also directly affect people. Pest birds, such as starlings, nesting on roofs can foul rainwater supplies. Feral deer are causing concerns for driver safety in parts of regional SA.

NRM Biosecurity coordinates state wide responses to incursions and management of existing pest animal species to minimise the impact on primary industries, natural ecosystems and public safety. The group conducts research on control techniques, provides policy advice and support to regulatory activities, and contributes to the State Natural Resources Management Plan, which outlines the priorities and policies for animal control in South Australia.

The NRM Boards enact state policies on declared vertebrate pests in their region, using risk analysis to prioritise species for coordinated control programs, which involve enforcement, assistance, education and awareness activities.

For information on the Pest Animals declared for enforced control in your area, please contact your regional NRM Board.

Declaration of plants and animals (pdf 243.7 KB)
Brochure Animal Pests of South Australia: What You Need to Know (pdf 3.7 MB)

What are Alert Pest Animals?

They are introduced pest animals that pose a serious threat to South Australia's primary industries, natural environments and/or people, but currently have little or no impact because they have not yet arrived or may be present here in very low numbers. 

Click here for... South Australian Alert Pest Animals page