The Ferals that Ate Australia

by Guy Hull

Dangerous predators and ravenous herbivores: the story of Australia's feral nightmare



Isolation was once the impenetrable barrier that protected Australia and its unique fauna. But a little over two hundred years ago a foreign power took possession and brought with it the foreign animals which now dominate the country's ecosystem. They are the enemy within.

Since that time, around 10 per cent of Australia's endemic terrestrial mammalian species have become extinct. Today Australia is dealing with the damage caused by all hard-hooved animals, domestic and feral.

Yet the bigger feral story is the ravages of acclimatisation, as new settlers tried to make the colony more like their homeland and released the rabbit, the fox, the hare, feral cats, common mynahs, starlings, sparrows, redfin perch, and the many other invasive species that have brought natural Australia to its knees.

Our country is now viewing feral animal eradication as a national issue requiring unified action plans. Using the latest technical and biological innovations, science is offering realistic hope of addressing the feral problems.

In this book, Guy Hull details history and toll of the 45-odd foreign animal species that have contributed to the appalling decline of native Australia, their assault on agriculture, and the modern strategies that are - hopefully - reclaiming the country for our native fauna and all Australians.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, History

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2023

Reviews

[Saturday's Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed The Dogs that Made Australia I was more than keen to read this latest by Guy Hull. It’s a well-researched read that does not go into boring statistics. With a sense of humour, it provides an interesting insight into the damage that has been caused to Australia and its natives and environment by the introduction of a large variety of feral pests. Animals, plants, insects, fish, amphibians you name it Australia imported it with devastating effects.

[Matty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a long time to finish. It started off STRONG - the introduction had a great pace, was filled with interesting tidbits and quite funny. But then, as each chapter laboured every minute detail of feral animals in Australian history - it started to feel like a slog. I put it down a few times & came back, eventually finding moments of learning that made it worthwhile. But the book really could’ve been an article. Or a research paper!

[María Mirayo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Im happy I read it but is rather educational that entertaining, however it was useful to learn abut Australia's history

[Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it jumps around a bit, this book is well written and relatively well researched. It is very rabbit-centric, which the cover gives a good indication of. The author also has a relatively amusing writing style.

However, the big negative for me is that the author and I are in disagreement over how non native animal species should be discussed, with inflammatory and loaded language being used throughout. The animals themselves are almost portrayed as being intentionally malicious.

It's a good book.... But it is very one sided.

[Zac Stojcevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the author probably won’t win a major literary award. But, his every man writing style encouraged whole chapters to be read aloud , and listened to, in my family. The work was witty, well researched, nerd level informative and entertaining - which rarely happens concurrently. Oh to have had lions and tigers and bears, oh my, from Tennant Creek through to Cape Woolamai? Well our forefathers did their best to stuff it up for us, as expanded upon in this great book.

[Josh Gidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book. Hull writes with passion and wit. Well researched, informative, interesting and written in an entertaining, enjoyable style even though dealing with matters that bring despair and sometimes disbelief.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guy Hull’s The Ferals That Ate Australia is an eye-opening and often infuriating exploration of Australia’s battle with invasive species. In his book, Hull dissects the disastrous environmental consequences of introducing non-native animals to Australia, none more emblematic of this folly than the cane toad.

Originally introduced in 1935 as a biological control for beetles threatening the sugarcane industry, the cane toad has become a poster child for poor ecological decision-making. Hull vividly recounts the hubris of scientists and agriculturalists who, in their short-sighted wisdom, imported 102 toads from Hawaii without adequately considering the potential risks. The assumption that these amphibians would obediently stay in cane fields and feast on pests is, as Hull outlines, laughably naïve.

Instead of solving the beetle problem, the cane toads became a far greater menace. With no natural predators in Australia and an ability to breed prolifically, their population exploded. Hull examines their devastating impact on native wildlife, from poisoning predators like quolls and goannas to outcompeting local species for resources. Their relentless march across the country has wreaked havoc on ecosystems and caused irreversible damage.

Hull’s critique of the people responsible for introducing cane toads is scathing - and deserved. He paints a picture of agricultural planners driven by profit and expediency, oblivious to the fragility of Australia’s unique ecosystems. The lack of scientific rigour and foresight in their decision-making feels, in hindsight, almost comically absurd if it weren’t so catastrophic.

The book also examines the broader lesson of the cane toad disaster: the dangerous arrogance of trying to 'fix' nature without understanding it. Hull uses the cane toad story as a cautionary tale, underscoring the importance of ecological balance and the devastating consequences of human meddling.

Hull writes with a mix of humour and indignation, making the book both accessible and engaging. While the tone is often biting - especially when criticising the absurdity of past decisions - it’s balanced by his deep knowledge and passion for Australia’s wildlife.

The Ferals That Ate Australia is recommended for anyone interested in conservation, environmental history, or simply shaking their head at one of the most avoidable ecological blunders in history. Hull’s work is a stark reminder of the long-lasting consequences of human recklessness and the ongoing fight to protect Australia’s unique biodiversity from the mistakes of the past.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read with a good mix of historical facts, interesting anecdotal stories and humor, which possibly should be mandatory reading for anyone responsible for a non native animal. Some will find the emphasis on the introduction and impact of the rabbit a bit annoying. I suspect that is a reflection on the animals massive environmental, economic and social impact which is ongoing.
While informative, to me it lacks punch; and the haphazard flow tends to make me feel like I'm being deliberately distracted from getting too angry with the obvious stupidity of our forebears. Given that nearly all the species mentioned owe their introduction to human intervention, one could argue the biggest ferals by far with the greatest negative influence on our Continent were the human invaders.
While the author makes excuses for them at the end of the book, the concern is that those same ignorant and destructive attitudes in many spheres have not changed. As a nation, there is still gross ignorance and indifference towards our native fauna. We still overstock the land, plant invasive species, turn a blind eye to the daily road kills and do not have mandatory restrictions on domestic cat ownership and control, despite all the advice we have at our disposal regarding the damage these practices are inflicting on native populations.

[Ryan Hazlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Popular science book about all the feral animals bought into Australia one way or another.

Easy to read and funny but also well researched and historical.

Any Australian knows ferals are just a part of life but it was good to find out why they're here in the first place.
Some reasons outright stupid, others more understanding.

Good read, found in vinnies at narrabri (mentioned many times due to rabbits and pigs.).

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and interesting reading on Australia's "most easy to hate" pests.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining broad look at introduced species to Australia. Doesn't get bogged down in stats and figures.

[Jocelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting short histories of feral animals, but for some reason I found the style irritating. I skipped and skimmed and more-or-less finished it

[Sarah Beattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the combination of local history and the stories that go along with Australian pests. Such a good story teller and very well researched.

[Nikki Balzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn't get into this, gave it a good go and made it through a number of chapters but in the end other books were calling me

[David Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating history of Australia’s many disastrous attempts to re-engineer its ecosystem told in a surprisingly dry writing style.

[Silvio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it to be a well written summary of the past & present feral problems in Australia. It focuses mostly on animals.

If you are interested in this area this book acts as a good way of testing the waters.