Major feral animals
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The feral pig is the most serious feral animal
threat in the Darwin-Kakadu region
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The feral pig's extensive range in this region and moderate to
high densities in the wetlands and sections of Kakadu National Park
make it the most significant feral pest for this area. It does have
limited economic value for hunters who sell the meat for export to
Germany. There are also scattered high-density populations of feral
horses in this region which cause problems for pastoralists.
Less significant ferals
In the past, buffaloes caused much damage in the region, some of
which is still evident today; however, their numbers have been
markedly reduced since the implementation of the Brucellosis and
Tuberculosis Eradication Program so their impact is now far less.
High densities of donkeys, in the south, impact in localised areas
of the natural environment and on pastoral properties. Cats impact
mainly on native animal populations. The most recent feral is the
cane toad which is spreading rapidly westwards from Queensland and
has spread into the Katherine region and Kakadu National Park.
Feral species that have the most potential to significantly
impact on the natural environment or pastoral activities include
the following:
- Natural environment:
- Pastoral:
- pig, horse, donkey, buffalo
Distribution and density
- Donkey: found in some southern sectors
- Horse: low densities found mainly inland through most of the
region with some scattered high density populations
- Pig: found throughout the entire region with the highest
densities located around the wetlands in the north-east
- Cat: distributed throughout the entire region
- Buffalo: isolated populations mostly associated with wetlands
and fringing forests, low densities since the Brucellosis and
Tuberculosis Eradication Program (BTEC)
- Cane toad: is now spread as far west as Kakadu National
park.
