A recent segment on TDT in Adelaide showed that many ferrets were getting frisky at this time of year
and were quite ingenious at getting out and making their way to their girl and
boy friends. So Adel residents were reporting lots of little animals ferreting
around in backyards just recently. There is a pro ferret catcher in
operation here and he is currently very busy. There was no mention of a risk of
any going feral.
-----Original
Message-----
From:
[ On Behalf Of
Sent: Friday, 26 November 2004
8:32 AM
To:
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Re:
PETITION TO KEEP FERRETS IN QLD. PARLIAMENT
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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