Land managers are stepping up their combined efforts through an annual autumn baiting program to address the increased threat posed by wild dogs following bush fires and drought.
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The baiting program is part of a carefully planned wild dog control strategy designed to help protect both livestock and precious native wildlife that have survived through the past summer of bush fire, extreme heat and dwindling water supplies.
Ground baiting in conjunction with targeted aerial baiting in hilly and difficult to access terrain, will be coordinated by Local Land Services across the Central Tablelands.
Landholders have reported an increase in feral pest activity, including pigs, foxes, deer and wild dogs escaping the vast tracts of land burnt by the Gospers Mountain and Palmers Oakey bush fires.
"Bushfires east of the Central Tablelands have pushed pest predators out of burnt country and on to local farmland, resulting in more wild dog attacks on both livestock and wildlife," Kristy Bennetts, senior biosecurity officer, said.
Ms Bennetts reports there have been an increasing number of attacks and wild dogs are also quickly repopulating areas affected by bush fire.
"While sheep, and even cattle are at risk of attack, native animals that have escaped the fires but have lost their habitat, are also more vulnerable to hungry feral predators," she said.
Drought conditions throughout the summer also saw feral pigs and deer concentrate in those areas where grass and water were still available, damaging habitat and competing with native wildlife for scarce resources.
"The combined impact of drought, heat and fire have made the need for pest control an even more pressing issue than usual, particularly for native species that are struggling to cope," Ms Bennetts said.
Both private and public land managers are taking part in the Local Land Services coordinated autumn baiting program, including landholders from nine pest management groups, as well as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, State Forests, Crown Lands and Water NSW.
The autumn baiting program is taking place on the back of additional pest control efforts coordinated by LLS in March as part of the NSW Government's bushfire recovery strategy.
For more information on the autumn baiting program, contact Kristy Bennetts at the Central Tablelands Local Land Services office on (02) 6378 1700.
