birding-aus

What is a Feral?

To: "'Carl Clifford'" <>, "'Birding-Aus Aus'" <>
Subject: What is a Feral?
From: "Gregory Little" <>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:20:11 +1100
Carl

Regardless of the semantics around the words feral or introduced, I feel
the Canada Goose does not belong here and so should be removed
especially considering it is in low numbers and therefore relatively
easy to eradicate. We do not need any more introduced species here and
there should be no justification for not removing them. The same would
apply if some dill introduced Black Swans to Canada, they, the Black
Swans, should be eradicated.

Greg Little

Greg Little - Principal Consultant
General Flora and Fauna
PO Box 526
Wallsend, NSW, 2287, Australia
Ph    02 49 556609
Fx    02 49 556671
www.gff.com.au

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of Carl Clifford
Sent: Thursday, 10 January 2008 12:28 PM
To: Birding-Aus Aus
Subject: What is a Feral?

Dear All,

When does a species become a feral and when does it become a native?

Most Australian birders would regard the Cattle Egret as a native,  
but shouldn't it be classed as a feral? It was introduced, possibly  
unsuccessfully, to Derby WA in 1933. It then appeared, in large  
numbers in Oenpelli NT in 1948 and reached Colac Vic in 1949 and now  
it is pretty well ubiquitous. As the species is highly mobile and  
considerable numbers move between northern Australia and the  
Indonesian Archipelago, it is potentially a serious vector for avian  
diseases. Should they be culled?

Hanzab describes a colony of Cape Barren Geese at Tidbinbilla ACT as  
feral (V 1-b p1196). Should they be culled, after all they do compete  
with other native grazing water birds for an often scarce food  
rescource?

Off the Avian track, but equally interesting, the Dingo. This man  
assisted migrant has caused considerable damage to the numbers of  
native mammal species and may very well have caused the loss of some  
species. It is regarded as a native, but meets many of the criteria  
for a feral, so what is it?

I would be interested in peoples opinions on this. I find that the  
line between feral and native a very wavery one which appears to be  
drawn nearly at random.

Carl Clifford
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