FOREIGN predators such as foxes and cats are killing twice as many Australian native animals as local predators, a new study has found.

Researchers at the University of NSW said the finding was the first confirmation of a long-held, but never proven, scientific belief that “alien” predators are much more harmful than native predators.Co-author of the report, Peter Banks, said Australia's unique fauna were more threatened by foreign predators because of their unfamiliar behaviour and hunting tactics.“We have a largely marsupial fauna in terms of mammals, whereas the alien predators that we've got here are placental mammals, so they represent something that's completely different,” he said.“(Foreign predators) are doing things that are worse than (what) native predators would do.”While that was true in countries all around the world, Dr Banks said Australia had been hardest hit by its animal invaders.

In one case study, population numbers of the Australian brush-tailed bettong - a small kangaroo-type marsupial - increased by 20 times in the 1970s after fox-control initiatives were introduced.Dr Banks said no native predator anywhere on earth had enjoyed such a profound impact on their prey and it proved Australia was at much greater risk.“Alien predators seem to be particularly bad here,” Dr Banks said.“They have a bigger impact on the native prey when it comes to Australia ... we really stand out as (foreign predators) having a worse impact.”Dr Banks said the report highlighted the need for greater control and management programs aimed at protecting Australia's precious wildlife.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,21385349-29277,00.html?from=public_rss

 

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