Lyla Lindsey
Australia has more than 11 million cats, which are present in over 90% of the country, including all of its major islands. Cats were introduced to the continent with the First Fleet in 1788. Since then, they have become the second most popular pet by the household. However, there are also an estimated 6 million feral cats in Australia, which are considered the most damaging invasive pest by cost and the fourth most damaging overall to the environment. They are believed to kill up to 80 million native birds, 67 million native mammals, and 83 million native reptiles annually. Feral cats in Australia have also been linked to the extinction of several endemic Australian mammals. Amidst this backdrop of a rampant feral cat problem, there have been several reports of large paw prints and sightings of big cats, such as the Blue Mountains panther, the Gippsland cougar, and the Grampians puma. These sightings have sparked debates about the presence of large feline species in the Australian wilderness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cats in Australia | Over 11 million |
| Percentage of neutered cats | 95% |
| Number of feral cats | Up to 6 million |
| Number of native animals killed by domesticated cats per year | 80 million |
| Number of native birds, mammals and reptiles killed by domesticated cats per year | 80 million (birds), 67 million (mammals) and 83 million (reptiles) |
| Number of mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates killed by domesticated and feral cats per year | 1,067 million (mammals), 399 million (birds), 609 million (reptiles), 93 million (frogs) and 1.8 billion (invertebrates) |
| Number of endemic Australian mammals that have gone extinct since the arrival of Europeans due to cats | At least 22 |
| Year cats were introduced to Australia | 1788 |
| Big cat sightings in Australia | Blue Mountains panther/Lithgow panther, Gippsland cougar, Grampians puma |
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What You'll Learn
Feral cats in Australia
Feral cats, which are the same species as domestic cats, live and reproduce in the wild by hunting and scavenging. They are an introduced predator in Australia, killing over 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs, and 1.1 billion invertebrates annually. They have contributed to the extinction of over 20 Australian mammal species and are a major cause of decline for many land-based threatened animals. Feral cats also carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to native animals, domestic livestock, and humans, such as toxoplasmosis, which costs over AUD $6 billion annually.
Feral cats were first recorded in Sydney in 1824 and Western Australia in the 1840s, with deliberate releases in agricultural areas outside the main settlements in the 1860s to control rodent plagues. Cats were also released in the 1880s in Victoria's Wimmera region and outback South Australia for rabbit control. However, rabbit trapping was more effective, and the releases only aided the cat population's spread across outback Australia. By the early 1900s, concerns were raised about the growing feral cat population, and in the 1920s, they were proclaimed a pest.
Feral cats are now found across more than 90% of Australia's land area and every major island, with an estimated population of up to 6 million. They are predominantly solitary and nocturnal, seeking shelter during the day and hunting at night. Their ability to bypass control barriers and adapt to harsh desert conditions has made them extremely difficult to control.
To address the threat posed by feral cats, Australia has implemented threat abatement plans under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). These plans involve research, management actions, and the use of tools like Felixer grooming traps to ensure the long-term survival of native species. Additionally, there are calls for stronger laws, policies, and programs to protect wildlife from both feral and roaming pet cats, as well as increased investment in feral cat management strategies.
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Big cat sightings
Another well-known big cat legend in Australia is that of the Gippsland cougar in Victoria. It is believed that American World War II airmen brought cougars with them as mascots and released them into the Australian bush. While a study by Deakin University concluded that the existence of big cats in the Grampian Mountains area could not be definitively proven, the author of the study believed that the probability of big cats in the area was "beyond reasonable doubt".
In addition to these two famous legends, there have been other reported sightings of big cats in various parts of Australia. Victoria is also home to tales of the Grampians puma, and in May, a video surfaced showing a large black cat near Ballarat, triggering a wave of new reports from across the state. There have also been claims of big cats stalking the hinterland of Queensland's Sunshine Coast since the early 19th century, and in the late 19th century, an animal known as the "Tantanoola tiger" was reportedly shot in South Australia.
While some people may dismiss these sightings as mere folklore or mistaken identities, the frequency and persistence of the reports have prompted some to believe that there may be truth to them. The discovery of large paw prints and other potential evidence has only added to the mystery, and the Australian government has even opened an active file on the phenomenon. Whether or not these big cats truly exist remains a question that sparks curiosity and intrigue.
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The Blue Mountains panther
The panther is usually described as being black panther-sized, and proof of its existence includes eyewitness encounters and circumstantial evidence such as large feline scratches found high on trees and the carcasses of sheep and cattle supposedly killed by the creature. Theories suggest that the Blue Mountains Panther may be a descendant of big cats released by World War II US soldiers as military mascots or by travelling circuses. There are also accounts of big cats escaping from circuses or being available for black market purchase in New South Wales in the 20th century.
While no conclusive evidence has been found, a 2004 report by the New South Wales Department of Agriculture investigator, Bill Atkinson, stated that "nothing found in this review conclusively proves the presence of free-ranging exotic large cats in New South Wales, but this cannot be discounted and seems more likely than not on the available evidence." In 2013, an invasive species expert, John Parkes, wrote a report concluding that there was no evidence of a big cat in the Blue Mountains, but he later privately shared his belief that a small population may exist.
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The Grampians puma
One of the most well-known theories about the Grampians puma's origin is that it descended from American soldier mascots during World War II. It is believed that American troops stationed in the Grampians area in 1942 had 'panthers' and 'pumas' as mascots. When instructed to dispose of the animals, the servicemen allegedly released them into the bushland instead. Over the years, these cats are thought to have bred and multiplied, surviving off the abundant wildlife and livestock in the Grampians National Park.
Adding to the mystery, a report by Dr John Henry, a former Deakin University lecturer, provided evidence supporting the presence of a big cat population in Western Victoria. Dr Henry's report included findings such as paw marks, livestock attacks, hair samples, scat, and puma faeces. Additionally, casts of large carnivore prints were judged by US experts as matching those of a puma.
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Cats as invasive pests
While there have been alleged sightings of big cats in Australia, there is little evidence to support their existence. However, the country does face a problem with feral and outdoor cats, which are considered invasive pests.
Feral and free-ranging pet cats are recognised as invasive species and predators, causing significant ecological harm across various ecosystems. Cats are generalist predators, hunting a broad range of prey, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Small mammals usually make up the majority of their captured prey, but this varies depending on local availability.
In the Pacific, cats have caused declines in seabird populations, including the Hawaiian petrel and Townsend's shearwater, both vital for nutrient cycling. In Hawaii, invasive species, including cats, have made the region the bird extinction capital of the world. Cats kill over 1 billion birds annually in the United States, threatening already declining bird species like the Least Tern and Wood Thrush.
Cats are also intentionally released into urban environments for pest control, particularly to control rat populations. However, scientific evidence does not support this practice, and ecologists and conservationists oppose it due to the disproportionate harm they inflict on native wildlife. Cats often prey on defenseless wildlife, such as lizards and songbirds, instead of rats, which they find formidable. Additionally, their hunting instincts, adaptability, and ability to prey on a wide range of small animals make them efficient predators.
The impacts of invasive species like cats are exacerbated by the increasing fragmentation of landscapes by humans. Cats, as beloved pets, can be managed more effectively by keeping them indoors, which benefits cats, birds, and people alike.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are over 11 million domestic and feral cats in Australia, there is no conclusive evidence of big cats such as panthers or pumas existing in the wild. However, there have been frequent reports of large felines, such as the Blue Mountains panther, also known as the Lithgow panther.
The Blue Mountains panther, or Lithgow panther, is a legendary panther said to roam the dense forests of New South Wales, Australia. The legend is fueled by reports of large, unexplained paw prints and sightings of a large black feline in the area.
Yes, in addition to the Blue Mountains panther, there are tales of the Gippsland cougar and the Grampians puma in Victoria, and the Tantanoola tiger in South Australia.
