The Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, located at NSW DPI’s Orange Agricultural Institute, undertakes research which addresses industry priorities in relation to vertebrate pest management and, increasingly, the management of environmental pests. The aim is to improve agricultural production and enhance conservation values through the reduced impact of vertebrate pests.

The unit’s applied research has direct relevance to the agricultural community in particular. It services the needs of all land managers, be they graziers, farmers, foresters, national parks rangers or personnel of other agencies such as Rural Lands Protection Boards.

Key research achievements

• Improvements to rabbit control practices through development of safe and species-specific baiting practices, and biological control through deployment of rabbit haemorrhagic disease.
• Major contributions to national best practice guidelines, animal welfare, training packages and exotic disease contingency plans for pest animal management.
• Defining the ecological principles underpinning effective control of fox, wild dog and wild pig populations.
• Improved recommendations for kangaroo harvesting to allow long-term sustainable yield.
  Field surveillance of avian influenza in wild bird populations.
• NSW DPI was the proponent of a new ‘Australasian Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre' (CRC) which started in July 2005 with 40 national and international partners, including a number of industry funding bodies. A major node of this CRC is based at the Vertebrate Pest Research Unit in Orange.

Key research collaborations

R&D (research and development) funders and providers: Bureau of Rural Sciences, Department of Environment and Heritage, Natural Heritage Trust, Murray–Darling Basin Commission, Rural Lands Protection Boards, NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Invasive Animals CRC, and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
Universities: Canberra, Queensland, Southern Cross, Wollongong, Western Sydney, and Sydney.
International: University of York, UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Landcare Research NZ.

Invasive Animal Cooperative Research Centre

NSW DPI is a core partner of the new Invasive Animals CRC (IA CRC).

Key publications

 Vertebrate Pests Research Unit publications 1997-2007 (39kb)

Pest Animal Survey

This report provides state-wide representation of pest animal extent, impacts and control to provide a platform for regional pest animal planning, and a benchmark for ongoing monitoring and reporting activities.

Pest Animal Survey 2004-2006 (released May 2007)  

Scientists

Find a list of Vertebrate Pest Research scientists.

Contact

Glen Saunders
Research Leader, Vertebrate Pests
Phone: 02 6391 3890
Email: glen.saunders@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Staff profile