@Mike, I'm glad to hear you've taken such an interest in Australian wildlife, they are my favourite area of study too, At university I studied wildlife and conservation biology, and tried to focus on Australian species where possible. Yes Cockatoos can be a massive problem too actually, they have been known to strip entire stands of trees bare of all foliage.

@Tom, Yes, yes, I know all about the my station my rules, rule, haha. A lot of farmers and property owners do that kind of thing all the time. While it is illegal for farmers to kill cockatoos themselves (I think it is upwards of a $5000 fine, maybe more these days), the rangers can still legally cull them if their numbers get out of hand and they start becoming a pest.

I've read up a little bit of what happened with the Bison over in the US... That is one of the greatest tragedies I think, and one of the best examples of the destructive nature of humans.

Mike,

Believe it or not, we have black bears in Central Florida.  Mainly in one area, and we never see them over my way, but you wouldn't really think we would have any here.  Every once in a while, you see one on the news.. in somebody's tree or in their back yard.  They are a little on the small side, and don't usually harm any animals. 

I have a fear of raccoons. Any tips on what to do if I encounter one head-on? Been seeing at least a dozen in the last three days...Please don't say that they are beautiful!

Not that many choices.
Look at it and wait for it to move on, kill it, scare it or walk away, right?