Lexi Webster
Feral cats are considered a major ecological threat in Australia, contributing to the extinction of several native species and endangering many more. With estimates of their population ranging from 2.1 to 6.3 million, these cats occupy almost all of Australia's ecosystems, including its islands. They are exceptional hunters, and their predation has been implicated in the decline and extinction of several Australian mammals, birds, and reptiles. The Australian government has recognised this issue, and various threat abatement plans have been implemented to manage and reduce the feral cat population, with the goal of protecting the country's biodiversity.
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What You'll Learn
The impact of feral cats on native wildlife
Feral cats have had a devastating impact on native wildlife in Australia. Cats were introduced to Australia in 1788 and are now distributed across more than 90% of the continent, including all major islands. There are an estimated 4.9 million pet cats and up to 6 million feral cats in the country. Feral cats are considered the most damaging invasive pest in Australia, and they have contributed to the extinction of over 20 Australian mammal species, with some estimates placing this figure at 22 or even 27. They threaten at least 124 more native species.
Feral cats kill over 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs, and 1.1 billion invertebrates each year. This includes 1,067 million mammals, 399 million birds, 609 million reptiles, 93 million frogs, and 1.8 billion invertebrates, according to the Invasive Species Council. Feral cats are a major cause of the decline in many land-based threatened animals, such as the bilby, bandicoot, bettong, and numbat. They also carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to native animals, domestic livestock, and even humans.
The impact of feral cats is particularly severe due to several factors. Firstly, Australian animals have evolved without cat-like predators, making them more vulnerable to this efficient hunter. Secondly, many Australian animals have low reproduction rates, so their populations are more susceptible to predation. Thirdly, cats are pervasive and adaptable hunters, able to increase their population sizes faster than their native prey. For example, following periods of high rainfall, the feral cat population can quadruple.
To control feral cat populations and reduce their impact on native wildlife, various methods have been employed. These include poison baiting with baits such as Curiosity® and Eradicat®, the use of automated tools like the Felixer™ grooming trap, and the establishment of predator-proof fenced areas or 'safe havens'. The Australian government has also developed threat abatement plans and provides funding for projects aimed at managing the threat posed by feral cats and recovering threatened species.
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The role of governments in managing feral cat populations
Feral cats have been an ecological disaster in Australia, contributing to the extinction of several mammal species and threatening many more. They are considered the most damaging invasive pest in the country, killing billions of native animals every year.
The Australian government has implemented several measures to manage the feral cat population and protect native wildlife. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) identifies predation by feral cats as a key threatening process, allowing for the development and implementation of threat abatement plans. These plans provide a framework for coordinated national efforts to improve threat abatement and support the recovery of threatened species. The 2024 Threat Abatement Plan for predation by feral cats is a joint effort by multiple states and territories, marking an important step towards effectively reducing the impact of feral cats on vulnerable species and ecosystems.
The Australian government provides funding for projects aimed at managing the threat posed by feral cats. These projects include the development of tools such as the Felixer™ grooming trap, which uses artificial intelligence to distinguish target cats from non-target animals. The government also supports initiatives like tree planting and fire management, which contribute to the recovery of threatened species.
At the local level, landholders and state and territory governments hold primary responsibility for the on-ground management of feral cats as established invasive species. Traditional cat hunting practices have been employed in some Indigenous community areas, contributing to the protection of threatened species. However, these methods are not scalable to address the widespread impact of feral cats.
Public awareness and support are crucial in driving government action. Organizations like the Invasive Species Council advocate for stronger laws and policies to protect Australia's unique biodiversity from the devastating impacts of feral cats.
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The effectiveness of threat abatement plans
Feral cats in Australia have been recognised as a significant threat to native wildlife, contributing to the extinction of numerous mammal species and endangering many more. To address this issue, the Australian government has developed threat abatement plans, which aim to coordinate efforts across different states and territories to effectively reduce the impact of feral cats on vulnerable ecosystems and species.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) identifies predation by feral cats as a key threatening process, allowing for the development and implementation of threat abatement plans. These plans outline research, management, and other actions necessary to ensure the long-term survival of native species. The 2024 Threat Abatement Plan for predation by feral cats is the fourth iteration, informed by the latest science and public consultation. This plan marks the first time that multiple states and territories have collaborated, signalling a more coordinated approach to address the issue.
To strengthen Australia's threat abatement system, the ISC made several recommendations. These include committing federal funding to implement the plan, supporting the development of an updated humaneness matrix and model code of practice for feral cat control methods, and leading the creation of a national domestic cat management plan. Additionally, they suggested re-establishing and funding the National Domestic Cat Working Group to enhance cooperation on domestic cat management and address complex issues related to pet cats in Australia.
The success of threat abatement plans hinges on sufficient resources and a unified approach by all relevant parties. With effective implementation and coordination, these plans can play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of feral cats on Australia's unique and diverse ecosystems.
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The role of pet owners in preventing feral cat populations
Pet owners have a crucial role in preventing the growth of feral cat populations in Australia. Feral cats have been deemed an ecological disaster in Australia, contributing to the extinction of over 20 native mammal species and threatening at least 124 more. They kill over 1 billion native animals each year and carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to native animals, livestock, and humans.
The responsibility for managing feral cats in Australia lies with landholders and state and territory governments. However, pet owners also have a significant role in preventing the spread of feral cats. It is essential that pet cats are kept safe at home and not allowed to roam freely. Roaming pet cats contribute to the decline of local populations of birds, small mammals, and reptiles.
Pet owners should ensure their cats are neutered or spayed to prevent unwanted kittens from being born and potentially becoming feral. Additionally, responsible pet ownership includes keeping cats indoors or in enclosed outdoor spaces, such as catios or cat-safe gardens, to prevent them from interacting with native wildlife.
Public education and awareness about the impact of feral cats on Australia's native species are vital. Pet owners should be informed about the importance of responsible pet ownership and the role they play in preventing the spread of feral cats. This includes understanding the need for proper containment, sterilization, and control of their pets.
Furthermore, pet owners can support government initiatives aimed at reducing feral cat populations. This includes advocating for stronger laws, policies, and programs to protect Australia's unique wildlife from the devastating impacts of feral cats. By working together, pet owners and governments can make a significant difference in controlling feral cat populations and protecting Australia's native species for future generations.
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The history of feral cats in Australia
Cats were first introduced to Australia as pets of European settlers during the 18th century, with the First Fleet in 1788. In 1824, Edward Henty brought cats to the Portland Bay district in what is now Victoria. Cats were also brought to the Swan River Colony (now Perth, Western Australia) from Britain during its 1829 foundation. The first feral cats were recorded in Sydney in 1824 and in Western Australia in the 1840s. Cats as household pets were rare until the 1830s when they began to grow in popularity, particularly due to their ability to control rodents in rapidly growing urban areas.
With a growing agricultural industry in the 1860s, cats were deliberately introduced into agricultural areas outside of the main settlements to control rat plagues. Similar introductions occurred in rural areas of Western Australia and Victoria in the 1860s, the Warrego River in Queensland in 1874, and Victoria's Wimmera and outback South Australia in the 1880s. While their ability to catch rabbits was often praised, rabbit trapping was considered a far more effective method, and the releases simply aided the cat's spread across outback Australia.
By the mid-1860s, cats were themselves considered a pest. In 1868, one of the first recorded cullings occurred at Barwon Park, Victoria, with over 100 feral cats found nesting in rabbit burrows. The first recorded "plague" of wild cats occurred in Thargomindah in 1888, after which local farmers began to place bounties on them. By 1890, cats had spread to their approximate current mainland distribution of over 90%.
Today, feral cats are found in almost every habitat in Australia, including forests, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and arid areas. They are the same species as domestic cats but differ in how and where they live. They are exceptional hunters and pose a significant threat to the survival of many native species, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Feral cats have contributed to the extinction of more than 20 Australian mammal species and are a major cause of decline for many land-based threatened animals. They are considered the most damaging invasive pest in Australia by cost and fourth overall.
Feral cat populations are extremely difficult to control due to their cautious nature and ability to bypass control barriers. They can also carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to native animals, domestic livestock, and humans. Various control strategies have been outlined in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water's Feral Cat Threat Abatement Plan, first published in 2008.
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Frequently asked questions
The feral cat population in Australia is estimated to be between 2.1 and 6.3 million. However, estimates vary, with some sources claiming the population could be as high as 18 million.
The Australian government has implemented threat abatement plans to manage and reduce the threat posed by feral cats. These plans involve funding projects that support activities such as tree planting and fire management, which help to recover threatened species. Additionally, land managers are encouraged to use a full suite of feral cat control tools, and governments are urged to strengthen their efforts to protect wildlife from cats.
Feral cats are considered a major ecological threat in Australia, contributing to the extinction of over 20 native mammal species and endangering many more. They kill over 1 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, and invertebrates each year. Feral cats also carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to native animals, domestic livestock, and humans.
