I recently wrote about how the Cane Toad is an introduced species that has taken over the native frog population.
Well the cane toad isn’t the only disastrous error of judgment that has been introduced into Australia. We actually have quite a track record of bad decisions in this area.
Here are some other species that have been introduced with disastrous effect:
Dingo – introduction date unknown – Australia wide – a predatory pack animal
Black rat – 1788 – Coastal Australia -eats eggs and young of native species
Feral goat -1788 – widespread – browses on native plants
Brown rat – 1800’s – coastal Australia – eats eggs and young of native species
Feral cat – 1800’s – Australia wide – predator
Wild horse – 1800’s Northern & cental Australia & Alps – competes for pasture
Feral pig – 1800’s – Eastern & Northern Australia – opportunistic feeder
Water buffalo – 1825 – top end of Australia – destroys wetlands
One humped camel -1840 – Central Australia – eats native plants
Common starling – 1850 – South-eastern Australia -uses nesting sites
Rabbits – 1858 – Australia wide – competes for pasture
Fox – 1860’s – Australia wide – predator
Common mynah – 1862 – pockets on the east coast – uses nesting sites
Donkey – 1866 – Norther and central Australia – browses on native plants
European carp -1908 – South eastern Australia – muddies natural water systems
Cane toad – 1932 Queensland predator of small animals and more