IT IS neither a breed of tiger nor a kind of pear, but Wyndham Council will soon start to remove a vicious pest known as Tiger Pear from throughout the municipality.
A weed which poses a serious threat to agriculture, the Tiger Pear is an increasing menace around the Little River waterway with its dense undergrowth providing harbour for rabbits and foxes.
As part of the Tiger Pear Control Project, the council will be using the services of a contractor to control the spread and, where possible, eradicate the pest from council reserves around the Little River area during February.
Councillor Peter Maynard said the weed is a member of the family known as prickly pears.
“Tiger Pear has long, sharp spines that can cause painful injury to animals or humans who accidentally walk into or touch a plant and they have been known to survive after breaking off the root system for up to three years,” Cr Maynard said.
“This eradication program is part of a wider range of programs Wyndham City is implementing to improve our environment, including the Waterways Revegetation Program, Roadside Weed Control and rabbit eradication.
“Anyone who finds infestations of Tiger Pear should contact Wyndham City to identify the best control option for the situation.”
For more information visit www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
