Overabundant native vertebrates in New South Wales: characterising populations, gauging perceptions and developing an ethical management framework

Although the ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to return animals to the wild, some are permanently unable to be released. Some non-releasable animals may be suitable for permanent care. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has the statutory role for arranging the appropriate placement of these animals in New South Wales. Under the current management framework, wildlife rehabilitators may apply for the permanent care of non-releasable animals under certain circumstances. If such an application is refused or not sought, NPWS ballots animals to suitable zoological parks and other exhibitors licensed by the Department of Primary Industries. The Frog and Tadpole Study Group rehomes non-releasable frogs with amphibian keepers licensed by NPWS. Between 2014 and 2018, 165 rehabilitation animals were placed under this framework, the majority of which were mammals (54%) and birds (41%). NPWS undertook a review of the framework in consultation with 17 stakeholder organisations. The review explored the need for a consistent approach to assessing animals as non-releasable, opposing views on when animals should be euthanased, the appropriateness of placing wild-born animals with exhibitors, and policy deficiencies resulting in placements that are not necessarily the best possible welfare outcome for the animal nor the best possible conservation outcome for the species. As non-releasable animals present themselves under a wide range of circumstances, the management framework requires a balance between consistency and pragmatism to achieve optimal animal welfare and conservation outcomes.

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Current approaches to rehoming unwanted, escaped and seized native animal pets in New South Wales and recent trends

Australian Zoologist ◽

10.7882/az.2019.002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 548-564

Author(s):

Matthew Mo ◽

Robert Oliver

Keyword(s):

Education Program ◽

Community Education ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Third Party ◽

Pet Ownership ◽

Current Management ◽

Management Framework ◽

South Wales ◽

Recent Trends

Native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs kept as pets become displaced after they are unwanted, escaped or seized. The Office of Environment and Heritage manages the rehoming of displaced native animal pets, which are regulated under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 in New South Wales. Primarily, animals are balloted to licensed animal keepers and exhibitors. Otherwise, rehoming may be delegated to third party organisations, and pet shops licensed to sell reptiles are obligated to accept back returned reptiles for resale. From 2014 to 2017, at least 1,000 native animal pets were rehomed in New South Wales, the majority of which were reptiles. During this period, there was a significant increase in annual numbers of displaced native animal pets related to a recent increase in displaced reptiles. The majority of cases occurred within the Greater Sydney region. The trends presented in this paper had important implications for a review of the current management framework in light of the increasing volumes. Initial stakeholder consultations have supported the notion of a community education program with an emphasis on responsible pet ownership.

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