Leslie Massey
Feral cats are an introduced predator in Australia and pose a significant threat to the country's native wildlife. Cats were first brought to Australia in 1788 by European settlers, and within 70 years, they had spread across the entire continent. Today, feral cats inhabit 99.9% of Australia's land area, and their predation is listed as a key threatening process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It is estimated that feral cats kill around 1.5 billion native Australian animals each year, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs, contributing to the extinction of over 20 mammal species. The Australian government is taking measures to address this crisis, such as developing targeted baits and traps, implementing threat abatement plans, and increasing the number of exclosures to protect native species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of native animals killed by feral cats in Australia | 1.4-2 billion per year |
| Number of native mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs killed by feral cats in Australia | 1.5 billion per year |
| Number of native invertebrates killed by feral cats in Australia | 1.1 billion per year |
| Number of native mammals killed by feral cats in Australia | 1 billion per year |
| Number of native reptiles killed by feral cats in Australia | 1.9 million per year |
| Number of native birds killed by feral cats in Australia | 1.2 million per year |
| Number of native mammals, birds, and reptiles killed by individual feral cats in Australia | 390 mammals, 225 reptiles, and 130 birds per year |
| Number of native mammal species driven to extinction by feral cats in Australia | Over 20 |
| Percentage of native animals in the diet of feral cats in Australia | Higher in the bush than in towns |
| Impact of feral cats on native animal populations in Australia | Threat to over 200 nationally threatened species and 37 listed migratory species |
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What You'll Learn
- Feral cats kill about 1.5 billion native Australian animals annually
- Cats have contributed to the extinction of over 20 Australian mammal species
- Cats threaten the survival of many of Australia's native species
- Cats are an introduced predator in Australia
- Cats kill native mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, and invertebrates
Feral cats kill about 1.5 billion native Australian animals annually
Feral cats are an introduced predator in Australia, killing about 1.5 billion native Australian animals annually. This includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs, as well as invertebrates. Cats were brought to Australia with the first European settlers in 1788 and have since spread throughout the country, now inhabiting 99.9% of the total land area.
Predation by feral cats is a recognised threat to over 200 nationally threatened species and 37 listed migratory species. They have contributed to the extinction of more than 20 Australian mammal species, including the pig-footed bandicoot, lesser bilby, and broad-faced potoroo. The survival of many other native species is also threatened by feral cats, such as the bilby, bandicoot, bettong, and numbat.
Feral cats are the same species as domestic cats, but they live and reproduce in the wild, hunting or scavenging for food. The impact of feral cats on native animal populations is significant, and efforts are being made to control their numbers and protect native species. For example, the Australian Government led a $7 million project to develop Curiosity®, a bait for feral cats designed to minimise the risk of native animals being poisoned.
The likelihood of being killed by a cat is highest for native mammals that are not bats, live in low rainfall and non-rocky areas, and are of intermediate size (35-5500g, peaking at around 400g). Species such as mulgaras, stick-nest rats, and barred rats are particularly vulnerable.
The impact of feral cats on Australia's native fauna is a critical issue, and it is important to address this threat through effective management strategies to ensure the long-term survival of native species.
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Cats have contributed to the extinction of over 20 Australian mammal species
Feral cats in Australia have contributed to the extinction of over 20 Australian mammal species. They kill about 1.5 billion native Australian animals each year, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs. Feral cats are an introduced predator in Australia, and their predation is a recognised threat to over 200 nationally threatened species and 37 listed migratory species.
Feral cats first arrived in Australia with European settlers in 1788 and spread throughout the country within 70 years. Today, they inhabit 99.9% of Australia's land area. The Australian government has led efforts to control feral cat populations, including developing Curiosity® bait, a small meat-based sausage containing a humane toxin. The Felxer™, an automated tool that uses AI to distinguish target cats and foxes, sprays a measured dose of toxic gel onto these species.
Feral cats are a significant threat to native Australian mammals, especially those of intermediate size (35-5500g) that live in low rainfall, non-rocky areas. They have contributed to the extinction of species such as the pig-footed bandicoots, lesser bilby, and broad-faced potoroo. The high densities of feral cats in towns also mean that their kill rates per square km are high, further endangering native species.
In addition to the direct threat of predation, feral cats can carry infectious diseases transmissible to native animals, domestic livestock, and humans. Their impact on Australia's biodiversity is severe, and urgent measures are required to protect native species and prevent further extinctions.
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Cats threaten the survival of many of Australia's native species
The Australian government has acknowledged the issue, and efforts are being made to control feral cat populations. For example, the government led a $7 million project to develop Curiosity®, a bait designed to minimise the risk of native animals being poisoned. Another tool is the Felxer™, an automated device that uses artificial intelligence to distinguish target cats and foxes from other animals, spraying them with a toxic gel.
Feral cats have spread throughout Australia since their introduction in 1788, and they now inhabit 99.9% of the country's land area. Their presence has contributed to the decline of many native species, and their impact is particularly severe in areas with high densities of cats. Cats also carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to native animals, further exacerbating the problem.
The likelihood of being killed by a cat is higher for native mammals that are not bats, live in low rainfall and non-rocky areas, and are of intermediate size (35-5500 g). These factors put species such as mulgaras, stick-nest rats, and barred creatures at greater risk.
The Australian government's "Project Noah" aims to increase the number of exclosures, areas fenced off to keep out feral predators, to protect native species and allow their recovery. Additionally, the government has recommended greater cooperation between all levels of government in dealing with feral and pet cats.
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Cats are an introduced predator in Australia
Feral cats have directly contributed to the extinction of over 20 Australian mammal species, such as the pig-footed bandicoots, lesser bilby, and broad-faced potoroo. They pose a severe threat to numerous other native species, including the bilby, bandicoot, bettong, and numbat. Cats target native mammals that are not bats, inhabit low-rainfall and non-rocky areas, and weigh between 35 and 5500 grams, with a peak at around 400 grams. Species such as mulgaras, stick-nest rats, and barred rats fall into this weight range and are particularly vulnerable.
The presence of cats in Australia can be traced back to the arrival of European settlers in 1788. Within seven decades, cats had spread across the country, and today, they occupy nearly the entire land area of Australia. Their rapid reproduction and hunting abilities have led to their classification as an invasive species, with landholders, state and territory governments, and the national government collaborating to manage their population.
To address the threat posed by feral cats, various methods have been employed. The Australian Government invested $7 million in developing Curiosity® bait, a meat-based sausage containing a humane toxin designed to minimize the risk of poisoning native animals. Another tool, the Felixer™, utilizes artificial intelligence to distinguish target cats from other animals and administer a measured dose of toxic gel. This solar-powered device can hold multiple cartridges, automatically reset, and photograph detected animals. Additionally, a free app called FeralCatScan allows users to record feral cat sightings and management activities.
The impact of cats on Australia's native fauna is undeniable, and efforts to control their population are ongoing. The success of these endeavors is crucial for the survival and recovery of numerous native species.
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Cats kill native mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, and invertebrates
Cats are considered one of the most damaging invasive species worldwide, causing impacts from predation, disease transmission, and competition. In Australia, feral cats are an introduced predator that poses a significant threat to the country's native wildlife, killing billions of animals each year.
Mammals
Cats have contributed to the extinction of numerous Australian mammal species, including pig-footed bandicoots, the lesser bilby, the Nullarbor dwarf bettong, and the broad-faced potoroo. They are also a major cause of decline for many threatened land-based animals, such as the bilby, bandicoot, bettong, and numbat. Cats have been found to eat over half of Australia's mammal species, including 50 species listed as threatened. The overall toll of native mammals is highest in northern Australia and wetter parts of eastern Australia, where the climate and habitat make these areas ideal for both cats and their prey.
Birds
Cats are estimated to kill more than 1 million birds in Australia every day, amounting to over 377 million birds per year. This includes more than half of all resident bird species in Australia, with 71 of the 117 threatened bird species falling prey to cats. Birds that are particularly vulnerable to cat predation include those that feed or nest on the ground, live on islands, and are medium-sized (60-300g). Cats pose a significant threat to the survival of some bird species, increasing their risk of extinction.
Reptiles
Cats have been known to kill 258 different Australian reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles. The average feral cat kills 225 reptiles per year, contributing to a total of nearly 650 million reptiles killed annually by the feral cat population. Cats are a primary cause of the decline of some threatened reptile species, such as the Great Desert Skink. Intensive predation by cats puts severe pressure on local populations of these species.
Frogs
Cats will hunt and eat frogs, which provide them with essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and animal fat. Frogs also serve as practice prey for wild cats to teach their kittens predatory skills. While frogs are not poisonous to cats, consuming them can occasionally result in allergic reactions or digestive issues, as frogs can carry Salmonella.
Invertebrates
Cats also consume a large number of invertebrates, particularly grasshoppers, beetles, and butterflies. While invertebrates make up a smaller proportion of their diet by mass, they still contribute significantly to the overall impact of cat predation in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Feral cats in Australia are estimated to kill about 1.5 billion native animals each year. This includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and frogs, as well as invertebrates.
Feral cats kill over 1 billion mammals in Australia annually.
Feral cats have contributed to the extinction of over 20 Australian mammal species and continue to threaten the survival of many others. They are a recognised threat to over 200 nationally threatened species and 37 listed migratory species.
The Australian government has implemented various measures to control feral cats, including the development of toxic baits, such as Curiosity® and Eradicat®, and the use of automated tools like the Felixer™ grooming trap. Efforts are also being made to increase the number of exclosures, areas built to keep feral cats out and allow native species to recover.
