Becoming feral free? Could this be a reality by 2030, 2040, 2050, 2100 or is it even possible, in a country as large as Australia? In this final episode of our first podcast series, we are bringing in the CEOs from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (Andreas Glanznig), NRM Regions Australia (Kate Andrews) and National Farmers Federation (Tony Maher), to discuss some of the key areas we need to take on action to ensure we can achieve the vision of a feral free future Thanks for...

An effective and non lethal way of managing feral animals, weeds and other invasive species would be to suppress their reproduction over time, so the population slowly declines. In this episode, we’ll introduce a new technology known as ‘gene drives’ that could be a game changer for future invasives species management. Using targeted gene drives, scientists are looking at interrupting the breeding cycle of invasive species, which could keep populations at manageable levels. Sounds...

If we brought all the users of FeralScan together, we’d fill most football stadiums within Australia. With close to 30,000 users now signed up to the program since its inception in 2011, FeralScan can definitely take the title of Australia’s largest community led pest animal monitoring and management program, and it growing by the day. In this episode, Peter West, the FeralScan national coordinator based with NSW DPI talks about the way in which the product is being used by farmers, land...

Many people think invasive species, and in particular feral animals, are only a problem in rural areas, but in this episode we’ll chat with two pest animal researchers from Biosecurity Queensland, Dr Matt Gentle and Dr Lana Harriott, who are looking at ways of effectively managing feral animals in urban landscapes, where approaches such as broadscale baiting, shooting and largescale fencing programs just simply can not be rolled out. We may hear of more impacts from feral predators and...

They are a controversial species to manage, where in some areas they are protected and conserved for ecological reasons and in other areas they are managed and culled to avoid livestock predation. Unfortunately, though, wild dogs are a major issue for livestock producers across Australia, and for many, not just cause economic impacts but social and wellbeing harm as well, with many not being able to rest easy knowing their animals have a threat lurking. In this episode we’ll talk with...

There are six different species of deer roaming across Australia and their populations are growing both in regional and urban areas. They are an emerging problem for some, but for many the problem is already here. In this episode we’ll hear from Australia’s newly appointed National Deer Management Coordinator, Dr Annelise Wiebkin, who has the job of priming communities to take action against feral deer. We’ll also hear from Ted Rowley a Jindabyne farmer who is heavily impacted by feral...

Each year, billions of Australian wildlife are taken by feral cats and preyed upon, by the more than 10 million feral cats roaming Australia’s environment. They are the major extinction driver of our native threatened wildlife species. In this episode we’ll hear from Dr Sally Box, Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner on how we are fighting back against feral cats nationally, and reducing their impact one cat a time. We’ll also hear from Dr Brad Page, a pest animal specialist with...

Before the introduction of Australia’s first rabbit biocontrol agent (called myxomatosis) was released in the 1950s, it was believed there were upwards of 10 billion rabbits wreaking havoc across Australia. Rabbits are Australia’s worst environmental vandal and pest to agricultural and rabbit biocontrol agents (or viruses) have been a game changer for rabbit management within Australia. In this episode we’ll hear from CSIRO virologist Dr Tanja Strive who has been studying rabbit viruses...

Wondered what that was lurking in the bushes or in the waterway, but it got away before you could see it? This is exactly what Dr Alejandro Trujillo-González a Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the Institute for Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra is finding out. One of Australia’s leading environmental DNA detectives, Dr Trujillo-González takes samples from the environment (water, soil, even air) and uses a portable machine, the size of a fishing tackle box, to analyse these...

Smart phones, wireless cameras and drones are becoming part of everyday use for many, and in this episode you’ll hear from Dr Paul Meek, a Vertebrate Pest Research Scientist with NSW DPI who is using these devices to trial artificial intelligence and recognition algorithms which can identify pest animal species and alert nearby neighbours of the threat. Imagine being alerted by text message if a wild dog or fox was walking by your fence line, and you could manage the threat, before...

In this episode you will meet Adam Toomes, Katie Hill and Jacob Maher, three PhD candidates from the University of Adelaide who, along with a team of researchers, are developing automated monitoring systems with the aim of identifying the next pest threats which could cross our Australian borders. With a growing wildlife trade (both legal and illegal) and more Australians then ever wanting to purchase and keep exotic pets and plants it is timely that we put automated digital systems in place...

Get a quick glimpse into this fantastic 11-part series, what it has in stall, who is being featured and how we are all working towards a feral free future.