Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

A - 7.4.2
Feral Deer
In the Gosford LGA two species of feral deer are known, Rusa and Fallow Deer. Some deer and
goat populations are thought to have been introduced area as a result of being deliberately or
inadvertently allowed to roam into other areas, this is exacerbated by a falling deer meat market
(B Pengilley, D Kelly pers. comm. 2004). There is some anecdotal evidence that deer may be
increasing in the Bouddi National Park/ Bensville area (Dave Kelly pers. comm. 2004). Rusa
and Fallow Deer have been reported at Mangrove Mountain, Somersby, Kulnura and Cockle
Bay Nature Reserve and adjoining lands also Bouddi National Park.
A - 7.4.3
Feral Pigs
Feral pigs are known to occur in the upper reaches of Patonga Creek (pers. observation R.
Lonie mid 1990s), Mangrove Dam Catchment area. (G Woolcock pers. Observation 11/04).
A - 7.4.4
Aquatic Pests
The extent of aquatic pest and introduced species has not been assessed. Gambusia or
Mosquito Fish are a known serious pest in waterways and predate on native fish and frog
spawn. Gambusia appears to be widespread in Gosford waterways. European Carp is known to
be present in Mangrove Creek (pers. comm. Grant Woolcock). Carp can degrade waterways
though increasing turbidity and predation on native fish. The impacts of other introduced fish
such as the Mountain Cloud Minnow that are deliberate or accidental escapees from aquariums
and garden ponds on native fish and habitats is not known at this stage.
A - 7.4.5
Feral Cats
Feral cats were identified in Council’s wildlife survey as being an issue for the Gosford LGA and
they are recognised as a key threatening process. Little is known about whether feral cats are in
fact widespread or abundant in the LGA. Cats may at times stray or be partially domesticated
and roam bushland areas predating on animals found there.
Further research is required to determine whether feral cats are a significant regional pest and
whether they are leading to a decline of native species. There are some new control methods
that could be considered to manage them. Targeted trapping is also an option. They should also
be considered as part of a possible predator/prey relationship if other species such as foxes are
controlled and their numbers could result as an increase.
A - 7.4.5
Wild Dogs
Domestic dogs may also become feral; attacking wildlife and domestic animals and they
interbreed with dingoes to become wild dogs. Wild dogs are already an issue in the Somersby,
Mangrove Mountain to Kulnura area and in the Mangrove Creek Catchment, Brisbane Water
and Dharug National Parks where wild dog baiting is undertaken. Through interbreeding with
dingoes, wild dogs are further reducing the pure dingo strain.
A - 7.5
Diseases
Diseases are likely to become an increasing threat to native species. Some diseases already
affecting local species are Chytrid fungus in frogs, Clamydia in koalas, mange in wombats.
Elsewhere diseases such as the devastating Devil Facial Tumour disease that is likely to result
in the extinction of the Tasmanian Devil (Tasmanian Department website at
http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf) and the herpes virus which resulted in major fish kills
around Australia (Low 1999) are of major concern. The catastrophic extinctions of many frog
species, particularly in high montane rainforest, is thought to be the result of the Chytrid fungus.
Biodiversity - Technical Report Page 157