Major feral animals
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As in many other regions of north Australia, the
feral pig has significant impacts in Cape York
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Cape York has fewer pest species than other tropical savanna
regions. However, feral pigs, horses, cane toads and cats are all
found throughout this region. The pig has the most varied impact on
both the natural environment and pastoral activities, with
significant impacts occurring along the coast. Feral horse
populations are greatest in the pastoral areas inland from the
coast. Feral cats are also present, and along with the cane toad,
have extremely deleterious effects on native wildlife populations.
The long-term impact of these predators on the equilibrium of
ecosystems in Cape York is difficult to predict.
Feral species, in the Cape York region, that have the most
potential to significantly impact on the natural environment or
pastoral activities include the following:
- Natural environment: pig, cat, cane toad, horse
- Pastoral: pig, horse.
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The cane toad has spread throughout Cape
York
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Distribution and density
- Horse: distributed across the entire region with high
density populations occurring towards the west in inland
regions
- Pig: found throughout the whole region with coastal
areas having the highest densities
- Cat: distributed throughout the entire region
- Cane toad: infiltrated the entire region
- Fallow deer: small isolated pockets.
