Feral animal management in Australia is a shared responsibility involving the Australian Government, State Government, local governments, landholders and the wider community.
Under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), landholders have a legal general biosecurity duty to take reasonable and practical steps to control declared pests on their property. Declared pest animals in Western Australia include species such as foxes, feral cats, rabbits, feral deer and feral pigs.
Feral animals are a significant threat to Australia’s biodiversity. Excluding frogs and insects, feral animals and unmanaged domestic cats are responsible for the predation of an estimated 2.6 billion native animals each year.
The Shire of Mundaring supports feral animal management through community education, coordination with relevant agencies, and limited control programs where appropriate. However, primary responsibility for managing pest animals on private land rests with the landholder.
Foxes
The European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is an introduced predator that has spread across most of Australia since being released for hunting in the 1850s. Foxes are now found across approximately 80% of the continent and occur in a wide range of environments, including bushland, farmland and urban areas.
Foxes are highly adaptable animals that will hunt or scavenge a wide variety of food. In areas such as the Perth Hills, including the Shire of Mundaring, foxes are commonly found in bushland reserves, rural properties and residential areas where food and shelter are available.
Foxes pose a significant threat to native wildlife. They prey on small to medium-sized mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs, as well as eggs and young animals. Across Australia, foxes and feral cats have contributed to the extinction of several native species and remain a major threat to many others.
Foxes can also impact agriculture and rural properties by preying on poultry, lambs and small livestock. In residential areas they may raid rubbish bins, take pet food and create a general nuisance.
Effective fox management relies on coordinated control programs across public and private land, along with responsible waste management and property maintenance by residents.
What residents can do
Residents can help reduce fox activity around their property by:
- Securing rubbish bins and compost to prevent access to food scraps
- Avoiding leaving pet food outside overnight
- Protecting poultry and small livestock with secure enclosures
- Removing potential den sites such as wood piles, debris or unused structures
Residents are also encouraged to report fox sightings and other feral animal activity through FeralScan, a national pest animal monitoring program that helps land managers track pest populations and plan control programs.
Report sightings online at FeralScan.
Rabbits
The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is one of Australia’s most widespread and destructive invasive pest animals. Rabbits were first introduced to Australia in 1788 and were later released for hunting in the 1800s. They spread rapidly across the continent and are now found throughout all Australian states and territories.
Rabbits occur in a wide range of environments including bushland, farmland and urban areas. They prefer areas with low vegetation and well-drained soils where they can dig extensive burrow systems known as warrens. In the Perth Hills, including the Shire of Mundaring, rabbits are commonly found in bushland, reserves, road verges and rural properties.
Rabbits pose a major threat to native vegetation and wildlife. Their grazing and digging can damage native plants, prevent regeneration of seedlings and contribute to soil erosion and loss of vegetation cover. Rabbits also compete with native animals for food and shelter.
Rabbits can significantly impact agricultural and rural properties by reducing pasture available for livestock, damaging crops and young trees, and creating warrens that may pose a hazard for livestock and horses.
Effective rabbit management requires coordinated control across neighbouring properties and ongoing monitoring to prevent populations from quickly recovering.
What residents can do
Residents can help reduce rabbit activity around their property by:
- Removing harbour such as piles of timber, debris or dense weeds
- Maintaining fencing where rabbits may enter properties
- Managing warrens early before populations increase
- Working with neighbours to undertake coordinated control
Residents are encouraged to report rabbit sightings and activity through FeralScan, a national pest animal monitoring program that helps land managers track pest populations and plan control programs.
Report sightings online at FeralScan.
Feral Cats
Cats that live and reproduce in self-sustaining wild populations in bushland, rural and remote environments. Feral cats survive by hunting and scavenging and are not dependent on humans.
Feral cats are highly effective predators. They prey on a wide range of animals including small mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. Across Australia, feral cats have played a major role in the decline and extinction of many native species and remain a significant threat to wildlife today.
Cats can also spread diseases that affect wildlife, livestock and people, including toxoplasmosis, which can cause reproductive losses in livestock and serious health risks for pregnant women.
What residents can do
Residents can help reduce the impacts of cats on wildlife by:
- Keeping pet cats contained to their property, particularly at night
- Ensuring cats are sterilised, microchipped and properly cared for
- Avoiding feeding stray cats
- Securing household waste and potential food sources
Residents are encouraged to report feral animal sightings through FeralScan, a national pest animal monitoring program that helps researchers and land managers track pest populations and plan control programs.
Report sightings online at FeralScan.