Victorian Acclimatization Society

In 1861, the Victorian Acclimatization Society was formed with the express purpose of introducing plants and animals from other countries and releasing them free into the wild. It was the societies’ opinion that the introduced flora and fauna would benefit Australian society in the fields of sport, aesthetics and for food.

Most of the early introductions by the acclimatization society were from England and Europe and many were for nostalgic reasons. Not all attempts at acclimatization were successful. Some that were tried but failed or were not continued with include monkeys and giant snakes from Africa and birds that ate snakes.

Sparrows were introduced in Melbourne in 1863. Since its introduction, the Spotted Dove has adapted well to urban habitats, unlike our native species.

The Victorian Government Botanist, circa 1850, Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, was responsible for introducing thousands of exotic plants and seeds.

There were many introductions of the rabbit by private individuals and the Acclimatization Society. The fox was introduced around Melbourne and within 20 years was declared a pest species.

Before release, the introduced species were meant to be kept and acclimatized at Royal Park in Melbourne. Ironically, Royal Park was where Burke and Wills set off on their exploration to the Gulf of Carpentaria, one of their tasks being to record the variety of native species that existed on our continent.

Some early proclamations:

“English thrushes, larks, starlings, blackbirds and canaries, when liberated, will enliven the savage silence” – McCoy, professor of Natural Science, University of Melbourne.

“If it lives, we want it” – E Wilson, president Victorian Acclimatization Society.

“…possibility of peopling the woods, groves, forests, and rivers of Australia with the animals, birds, insects, and fishes of Europe, and especially of Britain, is sufficiently delightful to warrant an effort in that direction…” Sth Australia Advertiser, 1861.

“…investigated almost completely the Alps flora of this continent.” Von Mueller after an expedition from Mt Wellington to Mt Kosciusko.

“Let us alone with your new industries. You see what has come of them already. A Scot introduced their charming thistle, and we will have to put a sum on the estimates to extirpate it. Edward Wilson introduced the sparrow, and the sparrow is playing havoc with our vineyards. Some busybody introduced the rabbit, and the income of Ballarat would not save us from the consequences.” – Victorian Legislative Assembly, c1870.

The Victorian Acclimatization Society also sent indigenous species overseas: Echidnas to London, wombats to Paris, kangaroos to Mauritius and possums to New Zealand (for which the Kiwis have never forgiven us!).

The society didn’t last long and it folded in 1872. Its legacy however is still with us today.