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Post by Peter on Nov 17, 2014 11:02:05 GMT 10
For the point of this thread, assume that TSHTF in a massive way and many people are dying.
One thing we never seem to hear about though is what happens with animals when large numbers of people die. Caged birds will die from starvation/dehydration, fish will die from lack of water filtration, food, etc. Cats will turn feral (and will probably do battle with the river rats that live in my area). Some animals would find themselves eaten by humans, but two main considerations stand out to me, and I’d love the opinions of people more knowledgeable than myself.
Firstly, displaced domestic dogs. We can assume they’ll form packs as is in their nature and go on the hunt for food and fight for territory. While a domestic dog could be taken in and its loyalty earned, could this happen with a pack? Or would the pack see a human as a threat and attack? Even if they don’t kill (and I assume hunger would drive them to doing so), even a small bite post-crunch could be fatal (disease, infection etc).
Secondly, wild animals. Fortunately in Australia we don’t have many of the large, vicious carnivores present in other countries. But we do have plenty of foxes, snakes, dingoes (in some areas), rodents, and there are rumours of a lone big cat (panther?) roaming the Great Southern region of WA. I personally think spider populations will increase. Without people to maintain a suburban environment, would these animals take over?
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Post by thereth on Nov 17, 2014 12:57:14 GMT 10
I think there will be an increase for sure, maybe not to the level where we are battling animals the moment we get outside, but the need for increased awareness and defence from things like wild dog packs would be there. neSpiders and snakes where I am anyway, dont care about suburban areas and will take up refuge wherever they damn well please, but i imagine in the city there will be a huge increase, especially in inner city areas where god-forbid something from nature invades their pretty concrete castle
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2014 13:54:47 GMT 10
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Post by Peter on Nov 19, 2014 14:20:58 GMT 10
I've already added rodent traps to my To-Buy list. Great thinking. Definitely a must for me. Some of these rats would take down a rottweiler.
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Post by thereth on Nov 19, 2014 16:44:47 GMT 10
I remember seeing fox traps on ebay at some stage. Ill have a look tonight as they looked pretty vicious and I think they are not legal now. But wrol they could come in handy
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Post by You Must Enter A Name on Nov 19, 2014 19:10:14 GMT 10
I remember seeing fox traps on ebay at some stage. Ill have a look tonight as they looked pretty vicious and I think they are not legal now. But wrol they could come in handy WROL they could be VERY! handy.
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Jackosaur
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Post by Jackosaur on Nov 19, 2014 21:01:00 GMT 10
I'm more concerned about snake or spider bite with no anti-venom readily available.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2014 8:54:04 GMT 10
Rodent traps + meat mincer also = food for cats or dogs. I'd only do it as a last resort though, in case of neighbours using rat poisons.
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Post by Fractus on Nov 22, 2014 13:18:07 GMT 10
Dogs would be my biggest fear. Packs of dogs could destroy a whole flock of sheep. Need to re think my defence strategy for the livestock. Could be very cold at night sitting with the sheep awake all night. Maybe the barn strategy mentioned on the what animals do you have thread would be viable
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Mandy
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Post by Mandy on Nov 22, 2014 13:41:59 GMT 10
My area has a lot of strays in it since people up and abandon their pets on dirt roads. The whole neighborhood takes care of them and let's them sleep in their houses at night since coyotes wonder. I'm not worried about it here since the whole neighborhood are full of preppers but I'm moving and it will be a problem in my future.
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Nov 22, 2014 17:28:42 GMT 10
Good topic Mr Pete. I think in a SHTF situation a few different things could happen with animals depending on the situation; how its effected the populations, how many people are dead etc but in a general a increase in the animal population will occur. Although, if its a great depression type scenario their may be a decrease in anything considered edible or easy pickings such as roos, rabbits, hares, echidnas, birds etc
There are already significant issues with wild dogs and cats in parts of the country and these would only get worse with the increased number of strays and lack of control from humans. Same would probably go with snakes, spiders, rats and mice. And with increased rodent numbers comes a greater risk of disease aswell
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wolfstar
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Post by wolfstar on Nov 22, 2014 21:52:30 GMT 10
Wild boar will be a big issue without a doubt. They ARE predators, and will happily kill to eat. (Put domestic pigs too close to sheep or cattle and you will find that the herbivores avoid them like the plague by instinct because of this) Without people keeping numbers down as much as we currently do, they may become quite problematic indeed. Even if only for killing our livestock, at worst killing people camping, they are something not to underestimate.
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Post by Peter on Nov 22, 2014 21:57:33 GMT 10
Wild boar will be a big issue without a doubt. They ARE predators, and will happily kill to eat. (Put domestic pigs too close to sheep or cattle and you will find that the herbivores avoid them like the plague by instinct because of this) Without people keeping numbers down as much as we currently do, they may become quite problematic indeed. Even if only for killing our livestock, at worst killing people camping, they are something not to underestimate. I know that - here in WA - we get wild boar north of Perth (around Geraldton, I've heard for example). Does anyone know of a resource by which we can see what wild animals live where? A map would be most useful. I've heard that wild boar take skill to hunt - it's not an animal to take lightly. But they are absolutely delicious.
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Post by Fractus on Nov 22, 2014 22:18:09 GMT 10
Not sure if it is true but I heard they have a lot of parasites that make it a bit risky if the aren't caught alive and de wormed.
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Post by Peter on Nov 22, 2014 22:39:57 GMT 10
I don't doubt it - any type of pig must be handled correctly. I was once at a steakhouse where they served wild boar meat cooked to medium rare. It just felt so wrong...
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gasman
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Post by gasman on Nov 23, 2014 5:11:25 GMT 10
Wild boar plague would be a hunter prepper delight post shtf! ready made food source sure they carry parasites but we hunt and eat them regularly just check liver lungs lymph nodes for abnormalities and if in doubt bin it
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AKM.
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Post by AKM. on Nov 23, 2014 16:41:50 GMT 10
Feral dogs scare me- they are a bad enough problem in rural/regional areas even now. In any sort of societal downturn, many more will be let loose to fend for themselves. Imagine half-starved Staffy crosses roaming in packs, with shepherds and other bigger dogs in the mix.
Not to mention the cranky little hairy rat breeds.....
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Matilda
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Post by Matilda on Nov 28, 2014 7:03:07 GMT 10
What will become of the zoo animals? You will have animals that are not indigenous to Australia being either mass euthanatised or let loose into the suburbs. At Western Plains at Dubbo the native bush is not too far to reach, likewise Mogo Zoo. If there is an EMP those cages that are shut electronically may come open or remain tightly shut - a dreadful death for the animals that are behind bars or for anyone trying to rescue them if they are starving. As an animal lover this would be too distressing to contemplate. I hope that there is some contingency plan in place already. We are the masters of our own life and you can choose whether to prep or not. Caged exotic animals do not have that choice. Man's greed could effectively cause the extinction of thousands of exotic animals worldwide if the crash is global in a matter of weeks.
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Post by SA Hunter on Nov 29, 2014 17:56:49 GMT 10
great post, and replies. Wasn't something I'd considered. Dogs gone wild for my area - family pets set free, hunting in packs.
Be more concerned about 2 legged animals though!!!!!
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Post by Peter on Nov 29, 2014 18:18:18 GMT 10
Be more concerned about 2 legged animals though!!!!! I agree - but packs of hungry dogs could be a major PITA.
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