Wollumbin National Park

Pest animals and weeds

Wollumbin-Mt Warning was added to the World Heritage list in 1975.

Pest animals

Introduced animals include animals that do not naturally occur in the area. Introduced animals known to occur in the Wollumbin-Mount Warning area include red fox (Vulpes vulpes), wild dog (Canis spp.), feral cat (Felis catis), European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), black rat (Rattus rattus) and cane toad (Bufo marinus). Further research is required to determine their distribution and abundance in the region.

Although the ecological impacts of introduced animals in natural areas is not fully understood, a range of impacts can be attributed to some of these animals. The wild dog, fox and cat compete with and prey on native animals which can stress native animal populations, particularly mammals, birds and reptiles. The fox and rabbit can cause soil erosion from disturbance to vegetation and digging of dens and burrows respectively. They can also compete with native ground dwelling animals for shelter. Cane toads are thought to compete with and prey on native frogs and may poison frog-eating native animals.