wrote:
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.
My understanding is that there is currently just one documented feral
Ferret population in Australia - in and around the muttonbird colony at
The Neck on Bruny Island (just offshore SE Tasmania). I have no idea of
its origins, or even much detail ... but the info came from a fairly
reliable source.
There are a number of Ferret records in the 'Atlas of Victorian
Wildlife' state database - but I have no doubt that these are single
escaped animals, not established feral populations.
Nonetheless, Bruny Island demonstrates that they are a potential problem
- but there in the absence of the Fox - maybe they can keep ahead of
devils and quolls, but not foxes!!
Before birders race of to sign petitions such as this I suggest they
seek a few facts.
I'm with David on this one - Queensland seems an unlikely location for
this species to establish. Maybe the companion pet legislation should
offer incentives for getting pet ferrets neutered?????? ...
L.
--
=================================
Lawrie Conole
Senior Ecologist
Ornithology & Terrestrial Ecology
Ecology Australia Pty. Ltd.
Flora and Fauna Consultants
88B Station Street
FAIRFIELD VIC 3078 Australia
E-mail:
Internet: http://www.ecologyaustralia.com.au/
Ph: (03) 9489 4191; Mob: (0419) 588 993
Fax: (03) 9481 7679
ABN 83 006 757 142
NOTE: This message may contain privileged and/or confidential
information intended for addressees only. If you are not the intended
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State and Commonwealth Acts of Parliament including the Victorian
Information Privacy Act 2000.
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