Australia’s incredible diversity of wildlife and birdlife is one of the highlights of the Big Lap for many grey nomads, and the Government has pledged to do all it can to protect it.
And that’s bad news for feral cats. As part of a newly announced package designed to save a number of endangered native birds and mammals, Threatened Species Commissioner, Gregory Andrews, says two million wild cats will be humanely killed by 2020.
“Every feral cat we cull saves 1400 native animals a year from a cruel death,” he said. “Science shows feral cats kill at least four native animals per day.”
The Government has committed to saving 40 endangered mammals and birds, in addition to 30 types of invaluable native flora. The eastern barred bandicoot, the mahogany glider, the western ringtail possum, black-footed rock wallaby, the cassowary and the swift parrot are just some of the animals under fierce protection.
Many grey nomads have certainly been surprised by the number of feral cats they encounter in their travels … and their sheer size.
In the Northern Territory town of Pine Creek, the local council has already been forced to act to control the large numbers prowling the streets at night. Victoria Daly Regional Council brought in feral pest controller Adam Bowen, who set traps throughout the town.
“We caught 14 in about six hours, after that there were other cats in the area which started to wise up to what was happening,” he told the NT News. “The first night we counted 50 in a four block zone. In the centre of town there were lots of cats.”
More than 20 million feral cats across Australia are thought to have been responsible for the extinction of 29 native species since 1788.
hi all.
I think most people I know believe its long over due to cull these feral cats from Australia
the problem is a lot of cat owners let there cats out at night to roam and kill whatever they find in neighbourhood.
some even think its right/good for there cats ti kill
if spoken to about it they get up on there high horse
enjoy life
Yes, definitely support culling and a “re think” by authorities. This time last year we were in Tas. and went to camp at “Jenerette Beach” near St. Helens where we had camped on 2 previous occasions. Unfortunately, a “No Dogs” sign greeted us, much to the disappointment of our black lab. The reason given was that dogs were causing problems with the bird population and their breeding grounds on the beach & foreshore.
There seemed to be no reference to the feral cats that we observed on a regular basis during our weeks stay at “Swimcart Beach” camping area adjacent to Jenerette Beach, where dogs are permitted.
The feral cats that we regularly observed, you could through a saddle on.
The same thinking and problem of course applies to National Parks throughout Aust. where again, domestic dogs and their owners are denied access to these areas when in reality the majority of pet owners, particularly “Grey Nomads” are very responsible and the finger is being pointed in the wrong direction.
Cheers Sundy.
BEST news I have heard in a long time Ben
Dogs are blamed but the wild cats are huge. Seen them in the sand dunes near Roxby Downs Station SA carrying a kill. Then I saw a sign at Waipinga Surf and Fishing Beach SA… no dogs allowed. My toy Papillion Dog would not be able to catch a bird ….so left him in the camper van all day…with toilet breaks on the lead…surely this is acceptable ..but maybe not.
All feral animals need to be culled. So don’t get defensive and argue about which is worst. Along with dogs and cats, donkeys, camels, goats and rabbits must be culled regularly and rigorously. I know Govt and Shires have some programmes in place, so lets all support them whenever possible. Dog and cat owners must control their pets, too, and in this way we can all help. Keep Australia beautiful and native !!