Home / Environment / Feral Wallabies Explode in NZ: $84M Threat Looms
Feral Wallabies Explode in NZ: $84M Threat Looms
25 Aug
Summary
- Wallabies have spread across over 200,000 hectares in New Zealand.
- They threaten native forests, plantations, and compete with livestock.
- Unchecked spread could cost $84 million annually by 2065.
Wallabies, originally from Australia, have become a major concern in New Zealand's North Island, now occupying more than 200,000 hectares.
Introduced around 1870, populations have spread significantly, particularly in the Bay of Plenty region. Their presence endangers native forests by consuming seedlings and vital food sources for native wildlife, and also damages young trees in commercial plantations.
Beyond ecological damage, wallabies compete with livestock for pasture on farmland. Their rapid mobility allows for an average spread of up to 2 kilometers per year.
Scientists estimate that wallabies could occupy one-third of New Zealand by 2065 if their spread is not managed. The estimated annual cost of damage could reach $84 million, increasing yearly.
Consequently, wallabies are classified as an unwanted organism under New Zealand's Biosecurity Act 1993, with strict regulations on their movement and sale. Management strategies include eradication, progressive containment, and exclusion programs depending on the species and location.
Control methods involve night shooting by licensed personnel and the use of registered poisons like 1080 and Feratox, subject to strict regulations. Public reporting of wallaby sightings, tracks, or droppings is also crucial for monitoring and control efforts.
