A diverse range of fauna which includes mammal, bird, fish and invertebrate species has been introduced into Victoria and is now established in natural environments. These include feral populations of domestic animals such as cats, goats and dogs and species that were deliberately introduced by Accclimatisation Societies in the 1800s such as rabbits and foxes as well as accidental introductions. Some species, like European Rabbit and the Red Fox are widespread occurring in most areas across the State, while others, like feral horses, occur in only a few parks.

Impact on Biodiversity

Many introduced fauna species pose a significant threat to biodiversity. Introduced predators like feral cats, feral dogs and foxes threaten the survival of a wide range of native fauna, many of which are are now classified as threatened. These predators occur in virtually every terrestrial habitat across southern Australia and have contributed to declines and even extinctions of some native fauna species. Ground-nesting birds and small to medium sized mammals, like bandicoots and potoroos, are particularly vulnerable.

Other introduced species including rabbits, feral goats and feral pigs have a significant impact on native vegetation preventing regeneration, spreading weeds and causing soil damage and erosion. In addition to degrading habitat they also compete with native fauna for resources like food or shelter.

Pest Animal Management

Parks Victoria's objectives for pest animal management are to eradicate or control pest animals focussing on parks of highest value under the greatest threat and to cooperate with other land managers in the the control of pest animals threatening adjacent land values.

Pest animal and pest plant control accounts for the majority of Parks Victoria's natural values management program each year (by expenditure and area) with around 500,000 hectares treated for pest animals each year (predominantly rabbits and foxes).

Parks Victoria has initiated standardised monitoring of pest animals in parks to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of control programs and has instigated an Adaptive Experimental Management of Foxes trial to evaluate the effectiveness of fox control strategies.