Cold Bore Precision

29/10/2026

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT | BANTENG (Bos javanicus)

Australia’s banteng population is one of the country’s more unusual examples of an introduced large mammal.

Originally native to Southeast Asia, banteng were introduced to the Cobourg Peninsula in the Northern Territory during the nineteenth century. Today, their Australian distribution remains highly localised to the Cobourg Peninsula and surrounding Murganella area.

Although banteng are classified as Critically Endangered globally, their introduced population in Australia can have significant environmental impacts.

Key facts:

* Large wild cattle with distinctive white lower legs and rump markings.
* Grazing and trampling can affect native vegetation, wetlands and coastal ecosystems.
* Research on the Cobourg Peninsula population indicates predominantly nocturnal activity.
* Population monitoring is important for understanding distribution, abundance and environmental impacts.

Banteng management presents a unique challenge, requiring consideration of both their global conservation significance and their environmental impacts in Australia.

At Cold Bore Precision, we recognise the importance of evidence-based vertebrate pest management, responsible monitoring and working within the relevant legislative and land-management frameworks.

Protecting Our Land | Our Wildlife | Our Future

25/10/2026

Species Spotlight | Feral Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Feral water buffalo are among Australia’s largest introduced pest animals, with established populations concentrated in the Northern Territory’s Top End.

Originally introduced during the 19th century, these powerful animals have become established across parts of northern Australia’s wetlands, floodplains and river systems.

While water buffalo can provide economic value when managed as livestock, unmanaged feral populations can cause significant environmental and agricultural damage.

Their impacts include:

* Damage to wetlands and native vegetation through grazing, trampling and wallowing.
* Soil erosion, bank collapse and sedimentation of waterways.
* Degradation of water quality and sensitive aquatic habitats.
* Damage to fencing, infrastructure and pastoral land.
* Competition with livestock and native wildlife for resources.

Effective management requires more than simply removing animals. Understanding population distribution, seasonal movements, habitat use and environmental impacts is essential to developing sustainable control programs.

At Cold Bore Precision, we support professional vertebrate pest management through surveillance, monitoring and integrated control strategies.

Our latest species fact sheet provides an overview of feral water buffalo identification, distribution, biological characteristics, environmental impacts and management considerations.

Protecting Our Land | Our Wildlife | Our Future

www.coldboreprecision.com.au

15/10/2026

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT | EUROPEAN BROWN HARE

Did you know? European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) are an introduced species found across much of temperate south-eastern Australia.

Although often mistaken for rabbits, brown hares have some distinct characteristics.

A few interesting facts:

Built for speed: Brown hares can reach speeds of approximately 50 km/h when escaping danger.

Agricultural impacts: They feed on grasses, crops and young vegetation, potentially causing damage to emerging crops, seedlings and plantations.

No underground warrens: Unlike European rabbits, hares generally rest above ground in shallow depressions known as forms.

Signs of activity: Look for distinctive tracks, droppings, feeding damage and well-used movement paths.

Adaptable animals: Hares are commonly associated with open grasslands, agricultural country and lightly wooded landscapes.

Distribution: Their main Australian range extends across temperate south-eastern regions, including Tasmania, with records extending into Queensland.

At Cold Bore Precision, understanding the behaviour, distribution and environmental impacts of introduced species is an important part of effective vertebrate pest management.

Our latest fact sheet explores the European brown hare, including identification, behaviour, signs of activity and Australian distribution.

Check out the fact sheet below!

Cold Bore Precision | Vertebrate Pest Management

11/10/2026

FERAL HORSES IN AUSTRALIA — UNDERSTANDING THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Feral horses, often referred to as brumbies, are one of Australia’s most recognisable introduced animals. While they hold cultural and historical significance for many Australians, unmanaged populations can place considerable pressure on our natural environment.

Why are feral horses a management concern?

Feral horses are highly adaptable, capable of travelling considerable distances and surviving across a wide range of Australian environments.

Where populations are concentrated, their activities can contribute to:

* Overgrazing and loss of native vegetation.
* Soil compaction, erosion and habitat degradation.
* Damage to waterways, wetlands and natural waterholes.
* Competition with livestock and native grazing animals for food and water.
* The spread of invasive weeds through movement and dung.

Recognising signs of feral horse activity

Common field indicators include hoofprints, fibrous dung, well-used trails, disturbed soil, grazing damage and heavily used water points.

Where are they found?

Feral horses have historically occupied areas across northern and inland Australia, particularly the Northern Territory and Queensland, with populations also recorded in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

Our accompanying fact sheet includes a historical distribution map based on Australian Government reference material.

Professional vertebrate pest management

At Cold Bore Precision, we recognise the importance of responsible, evidence-based management that balances environmental protection, animal welfare and legislative requirements.

Effective management begins with understanding the species, identifying impacts and assessing the most appropriate response for each location.

Protecting Our Land | Our Wildlife | Our Future

www.coldboreprecision.com.au

01/10/2026

FERAL DONKEYS | BIG ANIMALS, BIG IMPACTS

Feral donkeys (Equus asinus) are well adapted to Australia’s arid and semi-arid environments and can travel considerable distances in search of feed and water.

At high densities, their impacts can include increased grazing pressure, competition with livestock and native herbivores, vegetation degradation, soil erosion, damage around water points and the spread of weeds.

Signs to look for:
Distinct hoof prints, well-used pads and trails, dung accumulations, browsing damage and concentrated activity around water.

Key takeaway: Effective pest management starts with knowing what is present, where animals are moving and how populations are using the landscape. Surveillance and monitoring allow control efforts to be better targeted and their effectiveness measured over time.

This week’s Cold Bore Precision species fact sheet takes a closer look at the Feral Donkey — its distribution, biology, identification, impacts and management.

For professional vertebrate pest surveillance, monitoring and control, contact Cold Bore Precision.

Protecting Our Land | Our Wildlife | Our Future

23/09/2026

FERAL GOATS | HARDY, ADAPTABLE & DESTRUCTIVE

Feral goats are highly adaptable and occur across much of mainland Australia, particularly throughout arid and semi-arid rangelands.

Their impacts can extend well beyond competition with livestock. At high densities, feral goats can contribute to:

• Over-browsing and loss of native vegetation
• Soil erosion and land degradation
• Competition with livestock and native herbivores
• Damage around water points, crops and infrastructure
• Reduced regeneration of native plant communities
• W**d spread across the landscape

Understanding the signs of activity is an important part of effective management. Tracks, pellet groups, browsing damage, resting areas, camera surveillance and direct observations can all help establish where goats are active and how they are using an area.

Effective feral-goat management generally requires an integrated approach, combining surveillance with appropriate control methods and ongoing monitoring.

Our latest Cold Bore Precision fact sheet provides an overview of the Feral Goat (Capra hircus), its biology, impacts, field signs and management considerations.

Protecting Our Land • Our Wildlife • Our Future

20/09/2026