The Division of Wildlife and Ecology forms part of the CSIRO Institute of Natural Resources and Environment (CA 7972). The Division plays a vital role in many areas of research such as:

A)  The control of pests
B)  Wildfile in general, not only as a background of pest
    control and conservation, but also to gain knowledge
    of our unique fauna 
C)  In consultation with other divisions to advise on animal ecology 
    which may help with research on the ecology of domestic animals.

This agency has changed its name a number of times.  In 1949 the agency started as the Wildlife Survey Section; on 2 July 1962 it obtained divisional status and became the Division of Wildlife Research.  On 16 December 1982 the Division underwent another name change to become the Division of Wildlife and Rangelands Research. The name was changed again to the present name, the Division of Wildlife and Ecology, on 1 January 1988.

The major focus of the Wildlife Survey Section was the control and eradication of rabbits.  Investigations were conducted on the effects of fumigation and poisoning of rabbits, but of particular importance was the work on the virus disease myxomatosis.

Other areas of research included kangaroo management, identification and study of birds and the impact of some species of birds on crop cultivation, (for example ducks and rice cultivation).  An Australian Bird-Banding Scheme was introduced; this was a service available to all states that was maintained by the Section and continued by the Division.  The joint investigations with the Tasmanian Fauna Board of the economic biology on the mutton bird was conducted on the Bass Strait Islands.

The Chief of the Division of Wildlife and Ecology as at August 1994 was Dr Brian H Walker.

As of 3 October 2000, CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology became part of the new division of CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems (CSE). It is registered as CA 9113. This new division unites CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology and the natural resource management groups from CSIRO Tropical Agriculture, with a common focus on research to underpin the sustainable development of rural and regional Australia.



Source: Information supplied by CSIRO
        Commonwealth Government Directory June 1993 (P.302)
Historical agency address
"Gungahlin", Barton Highway, Canberra