Avisure has been working with an arid region aerodrome on a feral cat program, using an innovative trap to reduce the number of these destructive predators. Feral cats breed very fast, and recent good seasons in the bush, with plentiful rainfall, have meant abundant native prey.
Feral cats are an issue because:
- of the wildlife strike risk they pose, either by direct collisions with aircraft or by attracting birds of prey which may be struck
- of the infectious diseases they can carry – from live animals, faeces and soil. These include salmonella, parasites such as roundworm and hookworm, and toxoplasmosis.
- of the impact on the native mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians they prey on.
Avisure’s program focuses on surveys and active management measures such as cage trapping and baiting.
Cage trapping allowed for non-target animals to be released unharmed and trapped pest species to be safely transported for euthanasia.
Avisure has introduced an innovative feature into the program – an alert system for when the trap has been activated. This improves efficiency and animal welfare by allowing a quick response to release non-target animals and humanely euthanise feral animals, so they don’t suffer in the trap.
With the implementation of the program over the past few years, Avisure has noted an increase in sightings of native species. One of them is the spotted nightjar, which as a ground-dwelling bird, easily falls victim to feral cats, so this was significant.
Avisure also recorded other ground-dwelling animals not previously recorded on site, including knob-tailed geckos, shingleback lizards, gibber dragons, sand goannas, white-winged wrens, cinnamon quail-thrush and fat-tailed dunnart. Pleasingly, at a few sites which hosted a significant number of feral cats before the trapping program, Avisure observed young black-fronted dotterel and chicks of other native birds, as well as increased numbers of southern boobook and tawny frogmouth.
Feral facts - did you know?
Check out the Feral Cat Scan app!
It allows you to report feral cat sightings, track humane control measures, and more. Learn more at https://www.feralscan.org.au/feralcatscan.
Engage with our expert team
For an innovative feral animal control program at your site, reach out to our expert team:
- In Australia: 1300 409 927
- In the United States: 507 216 7672
- Or email contact@avisure.com
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