Australia's ecological crisis: Which species are becoming overrun? What can be done about it?

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As an island country surrounded by the sea, Australia has a unique ecosystem. However, due to historical reasons and human factors, Australia is facing a serious problem of species infestation. These invasive species not only destroy the local ecological balance, but also cause huge losses to agriculture and the economy. Today, let's take a deep look at some of Australia's most serious species infestation problems.

1. Rabbit Infestation: A Century-Long Ecological Disaster

In 1859, a British immigrant brought 24 rabbits to Australia for hunting purposes, but he did not expect that this would become one of the worst ecological disasters in Australian history. By the 1920s, the number of rabbits in Australia had surged to an astonishing 10 billion, which ate grass, destroyed vegetation, caused soil erosion, and seriously affected agricultural production.

The Australian Government has taken a variety of control measures:
- Build rabbit-proof fences with a total length of more than 3,000 kilometers
- Introduction of myxoma virus for biological control
- Chemical control using 1080 poison bait
- Encourage people to hunt rabbits

Although these measures have achieved certain results, rabbits still reproduce in large numbers across Australia, causing economic losses of up to 200 million Australian dollars each year.

2. Carp invasion: nightmare for river systems

Carp, introduced in the 19th century, have become a major threat to Australia's freshwater systems, disrupting native fish habitats by stirring up river sediments and consuming large quantities of aquatic plants.

The main impacts include:
- Water quality deteriorates and water turbidity increases
- The number of native fish has declined sharply
- Destruction of aquatic vegetation
- Increased water treatment costs

The government is implementing an ambitious "Carp Biological Control Program" that plans to release a herpes virus specifically targeting carp. The program is expected to reduce the carp population by 70-90%, but it has also caused concern among environmentalists.

3. Cane Toad: Toxic Invader

What began as a population of 102 cane toads introduced in 1935 to control sugarcane pests has grown to a population of more than 200 million, with the poisonous amphibians wreaking havoc on local wildlife.

Main hazards:
- Prey on small native animals
- Toxins in the body cause the predator to die from poisoning
- Compete with native species for resources
- Spread of diseases

Control measures include:
- Create physical barriers
- Manual capture
- Develop biological control methods
- Public Education Program

4. Feral cat threat: killer of native animals

Feral cats in Australia, estimated at between 2 and 6 million, kill more than 300 million native animals each year and are listed as the leading cause of extinction of 20 mammal species.

Government response:
- Implement a feral cat culling program
- Establish a cat-free sanctuary
- Use bait and traps
- Development of gene control technology

5. Red fox invasion: a cunning predator

Red foxes were introduced for hunting in the mid-19th century and have become a serious ecological threat, preying on small mammals, birds and reptiles, driving several species to the brink of extinction.

Control method:
- Place 1080 poison bait
- Implementing a trapping program
- Use guard animals to protect endangered species
- Carry out habitat management

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