Feral goat control extends into new areas

A cooperative feral goat control program that was initiated in 2003 and coordinated by the Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) has expanded into new areas and become a successful, large scale control program.

Mark McGaw, senior ranger with the Tablelands LHPA, said the program initially started in the Bannaby area with a focus on protecting the local brush-tailed rock wallaby population, a NSW threatened species.

"The first control work was carried out over three properties back in 2003. As a trial, a one hour flight was undertaken to see how successful aerial shooting would be in this type of terrain and during that time 106 feral goats were destroyed," said Mr McGaw. 

"Since the initial control program, several follow up programs have been carried out. To date over 2,900 feral goats have been removed from the area.

"While feral goats have been the main target, in excess of 80 feral pigs, 18 deer, several foxes and one wild dog have also been removed from the landscape."

The program has developed and evolved over the years to the stage where it now includes a number of different agencies and local landholders.

"The area has been extended and the program is now is a cooperative effort across two LHPAs, Tablelands and Cumberland. The program is also part of the broader effort to control pest animals in the area, with two similar programs being carried out in nearby areas," Mr McGaw said. 

"While the initial efforts were to protect a threatened species, it soon became evident that there were other benefits to be gained from removing feral goats from the area, such as reduced grazing pressure and damage to fences and improved ground cover."

High populations of feral goats impact on fragile environments by removing ground cover and they carry parasites that can be transferred to other animals. Water quality can also be affected by populations of feral goats due to increased soil disturbance and increased rainfall runoff.

"Programs like this have been so successful due to the funding available, and the cooperation of landholders and other stakeholders. We hope to continue with these programs in the future to keep numbers at low levels," Mr McGaw added.

For more information on pest management contact your local LHPA office.

Media contact: Kylie Neville 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378