Removal of Cattle
Cattle-proof fence
Mornington Sanctuary
The progressive removal of cattle from AWC’s sanctuaries is an important aspect of rehabilitating land. The presence of cattle typically causes a major reduction in native ground cover, alters vegetation communities by preferentially grazing perennial species and preventing them from setting seed, and assists the dispersal of many weed species. Cattle compete directly with native grazers for food, rub against termite mounds, and compact and disturb riparian habitats due to their reliance upon free-standing water, usually rendering these areas uninhabitable to native species of flora and fauna. Effective fire management is only possible in areas where cattle are absent, creating an indirect threat to wildlife, particularly in northern Australia, where fire plays a key role in maintaining natural ecosystem processes.
An example of this program can be found at the following AWC sanctuary: