Feral Animals of the Northern Territory
Feral Donkey - Equus asinus
Impacts
Feral donkeys pose a significant threat to the natural environment. They have been associated with increased erosion of soil and waterways, spread of weeds, trampling of native vegetation, consumption of native seedlings leading to reduced biodiversity, sedimentation of waterways and water bodies, destruction of infrastructure, and competition with native species and domestic cattle for resources.
Background
Donkeys are native to Africa. They were brought to Australia in 1866 to serve as pack animals to assist haulage teams. They were particularly useful in the Kimberley, Western Australia and Victoria River (Northern Territory), where a toxic plant affected work horses. Following the introduction of motorised transportation in the early 1900s, donkeys were released to the wild, where they formed feral herds. Today, feral donkeys are very common in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory.
Distribution and Habitat
It is estimated there are millions of feral donkeys in the arid zones of central Australia, Western Australia and the Top End. This is largely due to their capacity to tolerate wide environmental conditions. Donkeys are able to produce a foal every year, suggesting that the population can increase rapidly under favourable conditions.
Management
The Northern Territory Government regularly undertakes management operations for donkeys in high biodiversity areas of the Northern Territory.
Feral donkeys can be managed using a number of techniques:
Aerial platform control. This management practice requires extensive training of personnel. It is one of the most effective, environmentally friendly and humane methods of removing large feral animals because it is target-specific. If implemented correctly will result in a rapid death, with very little suffering to the animal.
Trapping or mustering feral donkeys so that they may be sold for commercial purposes. This technique, while potentially effective is expensive and time consuming over large areas.
On-ground culling. This technique is humane and relatively cost-effective compared with many of the other techniques, but is limited to accessible terrains.
Fertility control is a non-lethal approach to feral donkey management but it is currently of limited use. Fertility control techniques are difficult to administer to large numbers of feral donkeys and the treatment would need to be repeated often to be effective. There is very little evidence to suggest that this procedure would be effective or feasible for controlling large numbers of feral animals.
