Tackling the Lakes’ pests

This project will use innovative and traditional methods to manage the spread of pest plants and animals on the outer barrier.

About the project

This project uses innovative and traditional methods to manage the spread of pest plants and animals on the Boole Poole Peninsula, Rigby Island and Crescent Island.

Understanding and controlling the impacts of introduced plants and animals is essential for improving the health of the Lakes natural ecosystem.

Sambar deer are increasing in numbers across these habitats and impacting the environment in many ways from creating wallows in coastal saltmarsh environments to trampling and disturbing key bird breeding, feeding and nesting habitats. Other invasive animals include foxes and feral pigs and cats.

Weeds also threaten habitats and include Sea Spurge, Dolichos Pea, Boxthorn, Bridal Creeper, Mother of Millions and Willows.

Parks Victoria will lead the project that will:

  • Control Sambar Deer.
  • Monitor feral pigs using the innovative methods of EDNA sampling, remote cameras and thermal imagery.

GLaWAC will work on Country to lead projects that will:

  • Target foxes in all of the outer barrier.
  • Monitor the feral cat population to understand and inform future control measures.
  • Target invasive plants.

The project will reduce pest animals and plants across the Outer Barrier to protect native and threatened species, such as the New Holland Mouse and encourage regeneration across the landscape.

Works are guided by the Gippsland Lakes Invasive Species Strategy.

Project partners