FERAL ANIMALS
Magnetic Island is largely free of feral animals, unlike the nearby mainland where feral cattle, deer, goats, pigs, foxes, rabbits and other introduced animal species threaten habitat and native animals. On the Island, feral cats and cane toads are the main introduced animal species that pose a threat to Island fauna.
Agile wallabies, a native species on the mainland, were released on the Island in the mid-1990’s. They are now a threat to the Island’s rock wallabies through competition for scarce food in the dry season, and due to their size and aggressive behaviour towards the much smaller rock wallaby.
Agile wallabies, a native species on the mainland, were released on the Island in the mid-1990’s. They are now a threat to the Island’s rock wallabies through competition for scarce food in the dry season, and due to their size and aggressive behaviour towards the much smaller rock wallaby.
Agile wallaby (Introduced)
Notamacropus agilis
Photo: Wikipedia |
Cane toad (Introduced)
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Feral cat (Introduced)
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Cats and Toxoplasmosis on Magnetic Island
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Cats however, like across most of Australia, are the greatest threat to the Island’s native animals. (Read: The impact of cats in Australia pdf).
Cats are also a carrier of toxoplasmosis, a parasite that is a significant threat to many Australian native animals (Read: Toxoplasmosis Fact Sheet pdf). Toxoplasmosis was recently identified as causing multiple deaths in a large rock wallaby colony in Nelly Bay (Read: Toxoplasmosis on Magnetic Island pdf). Island residents have long expressed concerns about the impacts of cats on Island fauna, with surveys in 1995 and 1999 showing overwhelming support for better cat management (Read: Domestic Pet Survey 1999: A Survey of Attitudes to Domestic Pets and their Management on Magnetic Island). A more recent survey in 2021 by Townsville City Council strongly supported changes to local laws to enable the island to become cat-free. These changes have yet to be implemented, but will enable the Island to become a haven for both common and threatened wildlife. |
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ECOSYSTEMS | GEOLOGY | WORLD HERITAGE |
BIRDS | BUTTERFLIES | FROGS & TOADS | FERAL ANIMALS | LIFE IN THE OCEAN | PLANTS | WEEDS | MAMMALS | REPTILES | SPIDERS & INSECTS
BIRDS | BUTTERFLIES | FROGS & TOADS | FERAL ANIMALS | LIFE IN THE OCEAN | PLANTS | WEEDS | MAMMALS | REPTILES | SPIDERS & INSECTS
