NESP Marine and Coastal Hub (2023). Establishing Indigenous-led feral-ungulate control in northern Australia. Project 3.9 Information sheet. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Cairns, Queensland.
Overview
In northern Australia, feral ungulates (hoofed animals), especially pigs, buffalo, and cattle, cause damage to the environment and are vectors for disease. Indigenous Land and Sea Managers oversee control programs but intermittent and insufficient funding limits the consistency and success of
efforts. Similarly, resource shortfalls have prevented the development of an optimally coordinated or consistently monitored control program across the entire north.
New funding opportunities for ungulate control across the Indigenous estate, and beyond, potentially exist within Emission Reduction Fund and Nature Repair Market frameworks. An evidence-based case for participation in these markets is being built by associated NESP Project 3.8.
Successful delivery of control efforts within these markets requires strong governance and coordination, environmental monitoring, and consideration of social and cultural values.
Project 3.9 will support Indigenous organisations and other relevant stakeholders to both evaluate these issues, and to create an informed ‘roadmap’ to achieve Indigenous-led feral animal management in northern Australia.
