Cape York Peninsula feral cattle control program

Issued: 13 May 2024

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is planning on conducting feral cattle control programs on four national parks on the Cape York Peninsula later this year to prevent damage the animals cause to the natural and cultural values of Queensland’s national parks.

Feral and branded cattle cause damage to water bodies, rare and endangered plants, habitat for endangered animals and places of cultural significance for First Nations Peoples.

QPWS conduct regular feral animal control programs on national parks on the Cape York Peninsula, targeting feral pigs, feral cats, feral horses and unbranded cattle.

An aerial monitoring and satellite tracking program on Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL) conducted in 2022 and 2023 by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Australia’s leading research organisation, CSIRO, used helicopters and satellite tracking to establish the number and movement patterns of feral cattle, as well as their distribution.

Assistant Principal Ranger, Steve Coulson said the survey data will be used to inform mustering programs and to improve the management of feral cattle.

“It is estimated that thousands of unbranded cattle are still grazing and forming herds in the vast, unique and diverse landscapes on the peninsula, including on CYPAL national parks” Mr Coulson said.

“QPWS is working with neighbouring landowners to facilitate the issue of stock mustering permits, so that they can retrieve their cattle from protected areas.

“In 2023, we issued 33 stock mustering permits, and we’re asking any neighbouring landowners to contact QPWS early and obtain permits for 2024.

“Feral cattle populations can increase by about 40 per cent annually and can pose a potential significant biosecurity risk through the transmission of disease.

“The feral cattle need to be removed from managed herds, so they don’t reduce the value of landholders’ stock.

“That’s why we have embarked on a three-year fencing maintenance and construction program with local Land Trusts to help prevent branded cattle entering our protected area.”

Mr Coulson said landholders would have until September 2024 to muster their branded cattle from CYPAL national parks, after which, remaining cattle will be seized.

“Following the September seizure, QPWS will conduct a control program in four CYPAL national parks targeting unbranded feral cattle.

“Given the damage feral cattle can cause to the natural environment and culturally significant places, our primary objective is to significantly reduce the numbers of cattle on protected area estate – and to prevent re-population from occurring.

“Our control program has the support of Traditional Owners, landholders, AgForce, various environmental advocacy groups and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.”

The 2024 feral cattle control program will occur on the following national parks:

• Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL)
• Olkola National Park (CYPAL)
• Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL)
• Cape Melville National Park (CYPAL).