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The number Tasmanian outer islands with introduced vertebrate pests (e.g. cats, rabbits, goats) and the number of those islands with active pest management actions being implemented. Note that outer islands in this case also include Tasmania's larger islands: King, Flinders, Cape Barren and Bruny. Feral pests are perhaps the most invasive threatening agent impacting the conservation of native fauna on offshore islands. The removal of pests from island ecosystems is thus vital. This is especially the case since the European red fox was introduced onto the Tasmanian mainland in 2001. The fox represents the single most devastating threat to Tasmania's native mammals and birds. The outer islands of Tasmania serve as important safe havens for the preservation of species that may otherwise become threatened on mainland Tasmania in the future. On islands the impact of introduced pests is often devastating. On some islands introduced pests have caused major declines and extinctions of native species, especially seabirds. The maintenance of island ecosystems is also essential for the maintenance of genetic diversity. Islands often support species that are genetically distinct from their mainland counterparts such as the golden wombat (Vombatus ursinus Ursinus) which is now restricted to Flinders Island. The number of Tasmanian outer islands with pests is a direct measure of the condition. The number of islands with active pest management actions being implemented provides a measure of management response and the potential to limit impacts.
Tasmania is a State of islands, comprising 374 islands greater than one hectare in size. Of these 16% (59) are known to support vertebrate animal pests. It should be noted however that not all the 374 islands have been surveyed. Thus it is difficult to know not only the animal pests that are impacting the islands but also what native animals or plants maybe under threat. Tasmanian outer islands with active pest management actions being implemented in order to control or eradicate pests, 2002. Caption: Native animals have also been introduced onto some of Tasmania's outer islands (e.g. eastern grey kangaroo onto Three Hummock Island). These species are not included here as this indicator deals only with non-native Tasmania introduced species such as cats, rabbits etc. Island Animal pest Pest management actions implemented North-west islands Christmas Island Unidentified
No Harbour Island Goat Eradicated Howie Rabbit No Kangaroo Island Cattle No King Island Goat, cat, rat,
Goats eradicated. No actions
New Year Island Unidentified
No Stack Island Rabbit No Three Hummock Island Sheep, cat,
No Trefoil Island House mouse No North coast islands Deal Island Rabbit, rat, cat No Hogan Island Cattle No The Carbuncles Rat No Furneaux islands Babel Island House mouse,
No Badger Island House mouse,
No Big Green Island Rat No Cape Barren Island Cats, house
No Clarke Island Cats, rabbits, rats No East Kangaroo Island House mouse No Flinders Island Pig, goat, cat Goats eradicated. Yes
Forsyth Island Mouse, rat No Great Dog Island Cat, mouse, rat No Inner Sister Island Sheep, hare No Little Dog Island Rat, rabbit,
No Little Green Island House mouse,
Goats eradicated. No actions
Long Island Sheep, goat Goats eradicated. No actions
Low Islets Cattle, sheep No Mount Chappell Island Cat, house
No Outer Sister Island House mouse,
No Passage Island Rat, rabbit, house
No Pelican Cat No Preservation Island Cattle No Prime Seal Island Cat, house
No Spences Reef Rat No Tin Kettle Island Rat No North-east islands Georges Rocks Rabbit, rat No Ninth Island Rabbit No St Helens Island Rabbit No Swan Island Rabbit, house
No Waterhouse Island Deer, cat, house
No East coast Islands Actaeon Island Rabbit, rat
No Betsey Island Rabbit No Bruny Island Goat, house
Goats eradicated (?). Actions in place for rabbits, cats. None for rats or mice. Courts Island Cat No Dart Island Rabbit No Diamond Island Rabbit No Fulham Cat No Green Island Rabbit No Hope Island Rabbit No Huon Island Rabbit? No Little Christmas Island Rabbit No Little Spectacle Rat? No Maria Island Rat, mouse,
No Satellite Island Rabbit No Sloping Island Rabbit, goat Goats eradicated. No actions
Snake Island Rabbit No Sterile Island Rabbit? No Tasman Island Cat No Wedge Island Cat No South-west Islands Breaksea Island Rabbit No* Subantarctic islands Macquarie Island Cat, rabbit, rat,
Wekas now extinct. Yes for all other species except for house mouse. *no pest management actions are being implemented. However, plant-monitoring plots have been established and management actions will be implemented when resources become available. Source: Nature Conservation Branch, DPIWE and Brothers et. al. 2001. The number of Tasmanian outer islands with introduced vertebrate pests. Caption: Not all Tasmania's outer islands have been surveyed for introduced vertebrate pests. The table below shows those islands, which are known to have pests. Introduced vertebrate pests Number of islands Rabbit 25 Mice 22 Cat 21 Black rat, brown rat 19 Cattle 4 Sheep 6 Ferrets 1 Goat 0 Hare 1 Pig 1 Source: Nature Conservation Branch, DPIWE and Brothers et. al. 2001. State of the Environment - Tasmanian Indicator. |
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