MANSFIELD Zoo has welcomed its newest resident, a male blackbuck antelope, after it was captured in Victoria’s south-west.
Investigations are ongoing into the source of the blackbuck antelope that was recently found on a private property in the Warrnambool area.
DEPI biosecurity operations manager Mark Watt said the blackbuck antelope (Antilope cervicapra) was native to parts of India, Pakistan and Nepal and could potentially have serious impacts on agricultural production, and biodiversity in Victoria.
“The illegal keeping and trading of exotic animals poses one of the greatest risks of new pest
animals establishing in Victoria and Australia,” Mr Watt said.
Mr Watt said high-risk invasive animals include non-indigenous species of reptiles, amphibians,
mammals and birds that have not established in Victoria.
The plan to rehouse Fergus at Mansfield Zoo was negotiated by DEPI and was based on the animals welfare and the availability of suitable, permitted facilities.
Mansfield Zoo is responsible for the recovery and keeping of Fergus.
“Fergus is recovering well and will soon be joining fellow antelopes in the public viewing enclosure,” Mr Watt said.
“Blackbucks are a declared pest animal in Victoria under the Catchment and Land Protection Act
1994 and they can’t be kept without the appropriate authority from DEPI.”
“DEPI gives priority to preventing the establishment of new high-risk invasive animals and
prioritises their management based on the assessment of threats and impacts.”
He asked the public to report any sightings of high-risk invasive animals to DEPI on 136 186 or at
highrisk.invasiveanimals@depi.vic.gov.au
