General
Could barn owls help predict or control costly mouse plagues in Australia and overseas?
As a mouse invasion spreads through New South Wales and Queensland, researchers are investing in a natural hero … the humble barn owl.
Key points:
- Some researchers believe barn owls could be used to predict and control mouse numbers
- Funding is being sought for a project to install nest boxes on SA’s Yorke Peninsula for the owls
- But CSIRO research officer Steve Henry fears there “aren’t enough owls” to combat or control mouse outbreaks
South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula has been a popular testing ground for the hypothesis that barn owls, which are found across Australia, could be good pest controllers.
Now, Natural Resources Northern and Yorke team leader Max Barr is hoping to secure funding to install barn owl nest boxes across most of the…
-
Noosa News24 hours agoIncrease in extreme weather events poses ‘substantial risk’ to blood supplies, researchers warn
-
Noosa News14 hours agoAustralians tell ABC’s Your Say how they saw the second leaders debate
-
General17 hours agoMinecraft mayhem: ‘Chicken jockey’ chaos reaches Australian cinemas
-
Noosa News11 hours agoBrisbane vs Collingwood live blog: Richmond selects Noah Balta as unbeaten Lions prepare for Magpies test