The costs of invasive pests are multiplying
Damage caused by invasive species — predominantly weeds, feral cats, rabbits and fire ants — has cost Australia $390 billion over the past six decades, and around $25 billion a year and growing.
Australia’s size, relatively small population, large numbers of pests and weeds already here, and the pressure from new invaders, mean smart decisions and interventions are needed now to make sure resources are invested where they are most effective.
[Music plays and an image appears of a split circle, and photos move through on either side of the circle of different CSIRO activities, and then the circle morphs into the CSIRO logo]
[Image changes to show an aerial view looking down on houses surrounded by water, and text appears: A disaster is unfolding in our backyards and on our doorsteps]
[Image changes to show people crossing a busy street at a pedestrian crossing, and text appears: It is plaguing our cities, farms and forests]
[Image changes to show an aerial view looking down on two swimmers snorkelling in the ocean, and text appears: Spoiling our parks, playgrounds, rivers and reefs]
[Images move through to show Dr Andy Sheppard talking to the camera, a feral cat running through the bush with its prey, and then Dr Sheppard talking to the camera, and text appears: Dr Andy Sheppard, CSIRO]
Dr Andy Sheppard: We’ve had feral animals and weeds in Australia since the First Fleet but of recent years the numbers have increased greatly and that’s been encouraged by land use change and climate change.
[Music plays and image changes to show a wild boar walking through bushlands, and text appears: Invasive pests are on the march]
[Image changes to show a fox running away with a koala in its mouth, and text appears: Treasured wildlife stalked for food]
[Image changes to show a deer trying to get out of a pool of mud, and text appears: Precious ecosystems turned to sludge]
[Image changes so show a feral cat eating an animal carcase, and text appears: Crops and livestock laid to waste]
[Image changes to show Andreas Glanznig talking to the camera, and text appears: Andreas Glanznig, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions]
Andreas Glanznig: Business as usual is no longer an option.
[Music plays and the image changes to show a side view of Dr Sheppard working at his computer, and text appears: A new report reveals the growing size of Australia’s pest problem]
[Image changes to show Dr Sheppard talking to the camera]
Dr Andy Sheppard: Look it’s very serious for Australia.
[Images move through to show Dr Sheppard talking to the camera, a fox running through the bush with its prey, and then a mob of wild boar feeding by a river]
Globally, invasive alien species are ranked as number five in terms of their impact on the environment. In Australia they’re number one.
[Image changes to show Dr Sheppard talking to the camera, and then image changes to show a world map showing the spread of Covid-19 across the globe]
Invasions have a huge potential impact in human populations as we’ve seen with the recent global pandemic. Covid-19 is an example of a disease that has come out of animals, a zoonotic disease, and infected humans.
[Music plays and the image changes to show packages in a plastic tub moving around on a conveyor belt, and text appears: Pests brought in on ships, shoes and in the post]
[Image changes to show a group of people walking through an airport with their luggage, and then image changes to show a line of stacked shipping containers, and text appears: Some pests arrive illegally, some take advantage of our trade and travel]
[Image changes to show Andreas Glanznig talking to the camera, and text appears: Andreas Glanznig, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions]
Andreas Glanznig: We’re really looking at how do we maintain our way of life and also how do we maintain our identity. We want our bush to look like Australian bush. We don’t want it invaded by a plethora of overseas weeds.
[Music plays and the image changes to show a colony of fire ants moving inside a glass container, and text appears: Pests like fire ants are changing how we live, work and play]
[Image changes to show Andreas Glanznig talking to the camera]
Invasive ants potentially can change the whole way that Australia interacts. They are barbecue stoppers.
[Music plays and the image changes to show a feral cat walking through bushlands with its prey, and text appears: Extreme bushfires and more flooding are a boon for hungry predators]
[Images move through to show Dr Sheppard talking to the camera, a male looking at a plant through a magnifying glass, and then Dr Sheppard talking to the camera]
Dr Andy Sheppard: When we have big natural disasters it’s generally the invasive alien species that can respond and, and occupy the space that’s been created more quickly than the native species because they’re very good at responding to disturbance.
[Music plays and the image changes to show an aerial view of cropping country, and text appears: It is a daunting task across a vast country]
[Image changes to show a kangaroo eating grass at sunset, and text appears: But Australia can have a pest-free future…]
[Image changes to show a male and female scientist in conversation in a laboratory, and text appears: … and new technology holds the key]
[Images move through of Dr Sheppard talking to the camera, a side view of a male working at his computer and then looking into a microscope, and then a cane toad]
Australia has been a world leader in developing genetic approaches to managed pests. We need to see more investment in some of the novel technologies that are becoming available for managing pests and weeds.
[Image changes to show a mob of wild boar feeding in wetlands]
But we also need advances in digital tools that allow us to monitor and understand how we can effectively manage them in real time.
[Music plays and the image changes to show an aerial view of a flock of birds feeding in wetlands, and text appears: Already we have drones providing early warning]
[Image changes to show a cane toad on a path, and text appears: Gene technology to stop pests reproducing]
[Image changes to show a male and a female in conversation while looking at plants in a greenhouse, and text appears: And biocontrols to kill off unwanted invaders]
[Image changes to show a rear view of a male working in a laboratory, and text appears: The possibilities are enormous – if we act now]
[Image changes to show Dr Sheppard talking to the camera, and then the image changes to show a female examining leaves on a plant]
But just like with climate change we’re at a turning point where we need to get on top of the invasive species problem or it will spin out of control.
[Image changes to show three females and a male in conversation while looking at plants in a greenhouse]
We all have a role to play in, in stopping invasive pests.
[Image changes to show Andreas Glanznig talking to the camera]
Andreas Glanznig: It needs to be a whole of Australia, a Team Australia sort of approach.
[Music plays and the image changes to show a person running through grass, and then image changes to show bushlands at sunset, and text appears: By investing in a pest free future, we can protect Australia’s environment and economy for generations to come]
[Image changes to show a black screen and text appears: Read the report at URL]
[Image changes to show the CSIRO logo and text appears: CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency]