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Re: PETITION TO KEEP FERRETS IN QLD. PARLIAMENT

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Subject: Re: PETITION TO KEEP FERRETS IN QLD. PARLIAMENT
From:
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 09:02:26 +1100

Ferrets were once widely keep in country areas, particular (as I understand) in city fringe areas.  They were used for rabbiting, the ferrets being used to flush rabbits from warrens, these being caught in nets strung over burrow entrances.  I kept ferrets as a youth and regularly went ferreting.

If Ferrets were to establish feral populations in Australia they would have done so by now!  Every now and again a ferret would fail to reappear at the burrow entrance - generally because they found young kittens in a den and having feasted merrily would sleep it off.  Invariably the ferret would be retrieved the next day looking very pleased with itself.  In about 10 years I never lost a ferret.  Undoubtedly many were lost but they didn't establish in the wild.  

I suspect the main difference between here and New Zealand is that we are dealing with domesticated animals in Australia and wild stock was deliberately established in New Zealand.

Today, most ferrets are kept as pets (and they do make great pets if socialised properly).  Ferreting still occurs but at only a fraction of that which occurred previously.  I really think the threat of feral populations becoming established is extremely remote.

Before birders race of to sign petitions such as this I suggest they seek a few facts.  

Cheers

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



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