Established invasive animals

Established invasive animals are introduced animals which, by definition of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act), are widespread, established and beyond eradication from the whole of Victoria.

Established invasive animals include:

• foxes
• rabbits and hares
• feral pigs
• feral goats
• feral cats (on Crown land only)
• wild dogs or dingo-dog hybrids.

Established pest animals are a serious threat to primary production, crown land, the environment and/or human health in Victoria.

Under the CaLP Act, all landowners have a legal duty to prevent the spread of – and as far as possible eradicate – established pest animals.

Recommended management of established invasive animals is to minimise their impact on selected high-value agricultural and environmental assets.

Why it is important to control these species

Landowners have a legal responsibility to control declared established pest animals under section 20(1)(f) of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994:

'In relation to his or her land a landowner must take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of, and as far as possible eradicate, established pest animals.'

It is also important to control established pest species to reduce the damage they cause to agriculture and the environment, and to reduce biosecurity threats.

For more information on your responsibilities as a landowner, see managing pest animals.

Photo credits

European red fox – Wayne Hillier