Wildlife survey

The issue of damage to farm infrastructure and loss of production from browsing wildlife has always been a factor to contend with for Tasmanian producers. In mid 2020, after increasing reports of problems TFGA, now TasFarmers, conducted a survey of our members.

The survey asked a series of questions regarding problem species, damage incurred, loss of production and cost of control. There were 250 responses to the survey coming from most districts of the state. It was noted that the variety of problem species varied from one district to the next.

The major problem species, both in abundance and distribution, were Bennetts wallaby, Rufous wallaby, brush tail possum, fallow deer, sulfur-crested cockatoo and feral cats. Other species listed included crows, ducks, swans, cape-barren geese, wombats, Forester kangaroo, rabbits and hares.

Survey participants were asked to put a dollar figure value on their loss of production added to the cost of control.

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The figures quoted were both credible and verifiable. For the 250 members, the total figure of cost of loss of production plus cost of control was over $9 million per annum.

The growth of irrigated agriculture across the state has seen a dramatic growth in crops and pastures providing both a feed source for wildlife and habitat for waterfowl. This results in an increased rate of reproduction and the populations increase accordingly.

Another factor associated with irrigated agriculture is an increase in the cultivation of high value crops and intensive operations such as dairy which increases the value of the damage from lost production.

A visible symptom of the dramatic increase in wildlife numbers is the increase in roadkill as illustrated by this roadkill map published by the ABC. The wildlife are spreading from crown land to agricultural land and onto the roads.

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This year both AAMI and RACT insurance have commented on the increasing cost of vehicle damage claims associated with collisions with wildlife.

After briefing members of the state government on the findings of the survey, the scale of the problem and measures that can be taken to address the situation, the state government gave a pledge at the 2022 election to work in conjunction with TFGA to develop and implement a Wildlife Action Plan, to enable better and more effective management and control of wildlife numbers and the damage they cause. The final drafting of this plan is nearing completion.

Some of the measures being considered are fencing, new baiting systems, aerial culling and the use of suppressors.

The 2010 Alternative to 1080 project identified some of these systems but at the time were not seen as ‘cost- effective’. With the increase in wildlife numbers and the increase in commodity values, the economics have changed significantly.

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In the three year period 2019-21 there were 1.1 million Bennetts wallaby, 1.0 million rufous wallaby and half a million brushtail possums taken under crop protection permits. The value of the crops and pasture those animals would have eaten equalled $16 million per year.

There have already been numerous scientific studies undertaken. We have identified the problems, quantified them, identified remedial actions and now we just need action.