Foreign Invaders

History of Rabbits Rabbits were introduced to Australia in the 18th century with the First Fleet Outbreak started when 24 rabbits were released by Thomas Austin for hunting in October of 1859. Winchelsea, Victoria.

Effects on Australia's Ecology Suspected of being the largest factor of native species loss in Australia Kill young trees in by ringbarking them Serious erosion problems

Control Measures Shooting Poison- sodium fluoroacetate and pindone Bull dozing burrows Biological- 1991, the release of calicivirus to cause rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)

How Cane Toads were Introduced Native to Central and South America Introduced to Australia from Hawaii in 1935 Introduced to reduce the population of the native grey backed cane beetle.

Effects on the Ecosystem Death of many Australian native species Due to their ability to poison predators, cane toads spend more time in the open Cane toads have also poisoned humans and their pets

Control Measures Trapping Introducing native pests of the cane toad Genetically modifying female cane toads to only produce males Releasing sterile male cane toads into the cane toad populace