Abstract South Africa has a rich history of managing invasive alien animal
populations. This chapter explores examples of animal control projects, their
resourcing and degree of success or failure. Out of 1023 alien animal species present
in South Africa, 80 are designated for compulsory control or eradication in national
legislation, and 24 are currently being controlled with the aim of eradication or
containment. Only two species have been successfully eradicated from mainland SA
and its near-shore islands: Otala punctata (the Freckled Edible Snail) and
Trogoderma granarium (the Khapra Beetle). These two projects took place in the
late 1980s and early 1990s, and were rapid responses by small groups of role players
to small infestations. In contrast, most current projects are larger, involving complex
stakeholder management and considerable technical complexity. Three further
invertebrate species are currently controlled through integrated pest management
(Bactrocera dorsalis, the Oriental Fruit Fly) or nest removal (Vespula germanica,
the German Wasp and Polistes dominula, the European Paper Wasp). No marine
species are currently subject to control. Among vertebrates, 12 freshwater fish
species have been controlled in localised areas, according to their specific listing
in legislation and protected area management priorities; two amphibian, two bird and
five mammal species are currently subject to control using a wide variety of
techniques. Inter-institutional working groups have played a significant role in
promoting the success of invasive alien species management in South Africa.
Three working groups are actively addressing new and existing invasions, and
promoting awareness and cooperation among a wide range of organisations, as
well as recording the experience and learning of these groups.
22.1 Introduction
On average 50–100 alien animal taxa, including feral domestic animals, have
established naturalised or invasive populations per quarter degree square in
South Africa (Picker and Griffiths 2017). This tally belies a range of invasion levels
of different taxa from very low in amphibians and marine fish, to very high in
freshwater fish (van Rensburg et al. 2011). Vertebrates make up 30% of introduced
animal species in South Africa (n ¼ 309; Picker and Griffiths 2017), while insects,
crustacea, annelids, molluscs and arachnids make up the remaining 70% (713 species; van Wilgen and Wilson 2018). Among vertebrates, freshwater fish species (17)
and mammals (13) are most often introduced, while fewer birds (9) and reptiles (1)
and no amphibian species have been introduced from outside the country. Consequently, there have been relatively few fully-fledged control projects undertaken, but
a wide range of methods have been used, ranging from manual capture of Freckled
Edible Snails (Otala punctata) and European Shore Crabs (Carcinus maenas) to the
use of anaesthetic for Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), toxic baits for House Crows
(Corvus splendens) and piscicide such as rotenone for several fish species.
In South Africa, the management of alien and invasive species is guided by the
Alien & Invasive Species Regulations (RSA 2014) of the National Environmental
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S. J. Davies et al.
populations. This chapter explores examples of animal control projects, their
resourcing and degree of success or failure. Out of 1023 alien animal species present
in South Africa, 80 are designated for compulsory control or eradication in national
legislation, and 24 are currently being controlled with the aim of eradication or
containment. Only two species have been successfully eradicated from mainland SA
and its near-shore islands: Otala punctata (the Freckled Edible Snail) and
Trogoderma granarium (the Khapra Beetle). These two projects took place in the
late 1980s and early 1990s, and were rapid responses by small groups of role players
to small infestations. In contrast, most current projects are larger, involving complex
stakeholder management and considerable technical complexity. Three further
invertebrate species are currently controlled through integrated pest management
(Bactrocera dorsalis, the Oriental Fruit Fly) or nest removal (Vespula germanica,
the German Wasp and Polistes dominula, the European Paper Wasp). No marine
species are currently subject to control. Among vertebrates, 12 freshwater fish
species have been controlled in localised areas, according to their specific listing
in legislation and protected area management priorities; two amphibian, two bird and
five mammal species are currently subject to control using a wide variety of
techniques. Inter-institutional working groups have played a significant role in
promoting the success of invasive alien species management in South Africa.
Three working groups are actively addressing new and existing invasions, and
promoting awareness and cooperation among a wide range of organisations, as
well as recording the experience and learning of these groups.
22.1 Introduction
On average 50–100 alien animal taxa, including feral domestic animals, have
established naturalised or invasive populations per quarter degree square in
South Africa (Picker and Griffiths 2017). This tally belies a range of invasion levels
of different taxa from very low in amphibians and marine fish, to very high in
freshwater fish (van Rensburg et al. 2011). Vertebrates make up 30% of introduced
animal species in South Africa (n ¼ 309; Picker and Griffiths 2017), while insects,
crustacea, annelids, molluscs and arachnids make up the remaining 70% (713 species; van Wilgen and Wilson 2018). Among vertebrates, freshwater fish species (17)
and mammals (13) are most often introduced, while fewer birds (9) and reptiles (1)
and no amphibian species have been introduced from outside the country. Consequently, there have been relatively few fully-fledged control projects undertaken, but
a wide range of methods have been used, ranging from manual capture of Freckled
Edible Snails (Otala punctata) and European Shore Crabs (Carcinus maenas) to the
use of anaesthetic for Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), toxic baits for House Crows
(Corvus splendens) and piscicide such as rotenone for several fish species.
In South Africa, the management of alien and invasive species is guided by the
Alien & Invasive Species Regulations (RSA 2014) of the National Environmental
630
S. J. Davies et al.