Developing a Management Strategy for Feral Peacocks FACT SHEET FEBRUARY 2013 Natural Resources Kangaroo Island is preparing a strategy for the management of feral peacocks on Kangaroo Island. WHY PEACOCKS? Residents are concerned about feral peacocks because of: • excessive noise • destruction of gardens • defecation on building roofs • vehicle damage. Peacocks also have an impact on the natural environment by: • spreading weed seeds • consuming native plants and animals. They could also be detrimental to the poultry industry on Kangaroo Island because feral peacocks are known to carry poultry diseases. LEGISLATION The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 permits the keeping of domestic peacocks as long as peacocks are not released or allowed to escape, i.e. they must be kept in a ‘cage’. There is no obligation on landholders to control feral populations. WHAT ARE WE DOING? Natural Resources Kangaroo Island is preparing a management strategy for peacocks on Kangaroo Island. The strategy will include: • background information on distribution, abundance and movements • community attitudes towards peacocks • options for peacock control and possible eradication.
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Developing a Management Strategyfor Feral PeacocksFACT SHEET FEBRUARY 2013
Natural Resources Kangaroo Island is preparing a strategy for the management of feral peacocks on Kangaroo Island.
WHY PEACOCKS?Residents are concerned about feral peacocks because of:• excessive noise• destruction of gardens• defecation on building roofs• vehicle damage.
Peacocks also have an impact on the natural environment by:• spreading weed seeds• consuming native plants and animals.
They could also be detrimental to the poultry
industry on Kangaroo Island because feral peacocks are known to carry poultry diseases.
LEGISLATIONThe Natural Resources Management Act 2004 permits the keeping of domestic peacocks as long as peacocks are not released or allowed to escape, i.e. they must be kept in a ‘cage’. There is no obligation on landholders to control feral populations.
WHAT ARE WE DOING?Natural Resources Kangaroo Island is preparing a management strategy for peacocks on Kangaroo Island. The strategy will include:• background information on distribution,
abundance and movements• community attitudes towards peacocks• options for peacock control and possible
eradication.
FERAL PEACOCK DISTRIBUTIONFeral Peacock populations seem to be located primarily on the eastern end of the Island, with higher densities in the vicinity of Murray Lagoon and Dover Farm. Other populations are located at Western Cove, Turkey Lane, American River and Island Beach. A large population that was resident at Lashmar Lagoon has been significantly reduced.
RADIO TRACKINGRadio tracking necklaces have been placed on feral peacocks in the Dover Farm area. We are recording the location of the peacocks on a regular basis to determine their:
• home ranges• roosting sites• feeding sites.
A radio tracking necklace was placed on a male peacock in Dover Farm on 1 February 2013. The red dots show where ‘Peacock 03’ (nicknamed Percy) has been located using radio tracking.
If you see a peacock with a radio necklace please let us know so we can add your information to the database.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?If you see a peacock fill out the information in the form below and it to Natural Resources Kangaroo Island, PO Box 39 Kingscote 5223 or drop it into 37 Dauncey Street Kingscote.
If you capture a peacock with a radio necklace please release it so we can continue to follow its movements. If you find a dead peacock, please return the necklace to us so we can reuse it..
If you capture a live peacock and can keep it contained, please let us know as we may be able to place a radio necklace on it.
We welcome your thoughts about the project. We are compiling an email database of people who would like to be provided with regular updates on the program and movements of the peacocks. Please do not hesitate to register your interest.Peacock image: P. Carlson, Brookfield Zoo
Recorded Sighting of Peacock 03 February 1-8 2013
8-Feb-2013
Transverse Mercator - MGA Zone 53Geocentric Datum of Australia, 1994
FURTHER INFORMATIONIf you wish to be involved or assist in the Feral Peacock project please contact Daniel Rowley, Natural Resources Kangaroo Island on:Phone: 08 8553 4449Email: [email protected]
Recorded sightings of the radio-collared feral peacock at Dover Farm
