Book Description

This definitive work on the introduction of domestic animals to Australia begins with the first white settlement at Botany Bay.It explores the foundations of our wool and beef industries, examining the role of early leaders like Phillip, King, Macarthur and Bligh.

The book considers the successful introduction of the horse, Australia's first live animal export, and goes on to explore the role of the acclimatisation societies, the development of the veterinary profession and the control and eradication of some of the major exotic and introduced diseases of sheep and cattle.

For students of Australian history, for veterinarians wanting to know about a background to their profession in the country and for the general reader interested in Australia's past, this meticulously researched book will provide a fascinating and serious treatment of a subject largely neglected until now.

The author, Dr Ian Parsonson retired as Assistant Chief of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong, Victoria, after a long career in veterinary practice and research.His areas of expertise include bacterial and viral diseases, pathology and microbiological laboratory safety.He is a committee member of the International Embryo Transfer Society and the Animal Gene Storage and Resource Centre of Australia. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Interesting and informative read
Australia is infamous for it's various animal introductions and their impact on it's native fauna and flora- in particular the cane toan and rabbit. Here is the fascinating history of the introductions that often went so wrong, and others which are deemed successful- such as cattle and sheep. Chapters cover 'cattle in colonies', 'horses in the colonies', 'acclimatisation societies', and various diseases encountered in the establishment of these species. ... Read more