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Principles and strategies for managing vertebrate pests
Mike Braysher
Abstract
Past pest management aimed at eradication or reduction of vertebrate pests to as low a level as possible has not worked except in rare circumstances. Pests are a complex management issue and involve many players besides farmers and wildlife managers. The Bureau of Resource Sciences has developed a more strategic and coordinated approach that incorporates:
- Collecting information necessary to clarify the problem;
- Setting clear, quatifiable, an, if possible, time-limited objectives and developing performance criteria;
- Identifying management options and if practical, experimentally testing the alternatives;
- Implementing the strategy;
- Monitoring effectiveness and efficiency of the management strategy against the objective,/UL>
Defining the problem in terms of the desired outcome and determining major stakeholders and all major factors operating;
The general principles learned from this management approach are illustrated by reference to two ACT urban animals which happen to be native animsl, the Australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen and the pink-tailed legless lizard, Aprasia parapulchella
About the Author
Mike Braysher
Bureau of Resource Sciences
P.O. Box E11,
Queen Victoria Terrace
Parkes, ACT 2600
Mike Braysher undertook his PhD in zoological sciences at the University of Adelaide. He is currently a Principal Researcher Scientist managing Veterbrate Pest Program for the Bureau of Resource Sciences.
He spent 17 years with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service being responsible for wildlife policy and research. He has been contracted to BRS to prepare national guidelines for managing Australia's major vertebrate pests and to manage a program which is establishing key projects to demonstrate 'best practice' pest management.
He recently published a book Managing Vertebrate Pets: Principles and Staregies which establishes principles and a strategic approach toward managing vertebrate pests. This book is the basis of subsequent pest animal guidleines.
He also poublished 'Managing Vertebrate Pests: Feral Horses' with Will Dobbie and David Berman. This is the first in a series of pest animal guidelines which include rabbits, feral goats, feral pigs, foxes and rodents.
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