When the creator of the world wide web was asked what surprised him most about the use of the internet he famously replied ‘kittens’. Everyone has an opinion on cats, from sheer hatred to obsession and everything in between. Wherever one stands, they infiltrate our lives with their fluffy tails, aloof ‘tudes and tenacity.
Such tenaciousness may be admired in our pet floofs when chasing a moth inside, yet it is one of the reasons that feral cats cover 99% of Australia, around 80% of our islands, and are extremely difficult to eradicate.
Worldwide, cats are listed as one of the ‘worst invasive species’ (as referred to in academic journal, Biological Invasions). Since their arrival in Australia on the First Fleet, researchers working with the Threatened Species Council say cats have contributed to the extinction of over 25 mammal species - and are driving another 123 species towards extinction.
Estimations of cat kills in Australia daily are a staggering 2.92 million mammals, 1.67 million reptiles, 1.09 million birds, 0.26 million frogs and 2.97 million invertebrates (including 200 listed threatened species nationally, and 37 listed migratory species).
Cats eat what they can, when they can - if it moves and is small enough, it’s fair game - and with millions of species being eaten everyday by these masterful hunters it is clear who is winning this (unfair) game.
Other factors relating to the impacts of cats include interfering with the reproduction of native species and general food and habitat competition with native predators that can lead to lower populations of native species. Additionally, cats can carry and transmit diseases such as Toxoplasma gondii - a single celled parasite causing health problems in the warm blooded mammals it infects, with macropods (kangaroos, quokkas etc) being especially susceptible.
Solutions to the growing feral cat problem are multi-faceted and complicated and can be controversial. Questions revolve around the nature and extent of interventions, if they are working, and other related issues.
Cats are notoriously good at hiding, and often avoid ‘new’ things or circumstances in their environment. This makes trapping, shooting and baiting difficult to implement.
Bait and switch?
Western Australia has employed the use of ‘Eradicat’ baits - small ‘sausages’ with 1080 poison (derived from about 40 plants native to Western Australia, parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland that native animals have a natural tolerance to).
According to research conducted through the CSIRO, other practices around Australia involve either using or trialling Felixer Grooming traps. These use cameras to identify cats (sadly, not just cats) and shoot gel (also containing 1080) onto the target where the fastidious cleaners will then groom the poison off their coat. Unfortunately, some recent research has found that this practice has also targeted Tasmanian devils and common wombats.
Toxic baits using these can be effective if alternative prey are not involved. Because of this, results can be inconsistent. It is important to note that not all States allow this method. Issues also revolve around the spilling over of methods due to ‘invisible’ state lines, and ethical concerns due to the distressing nature of their effects.
There has, consequently, been much debate over their use, with many countries banning them entirely (New Zealand is the highest user followed by Australia).
Research in Tasmania and New Zealand has also studied the use of the ‘Curiosity’ bait which experts say is more humane. This bait is in use across other parts of Australia and results look promising.
Baiting, regardless of the ethics, is considered to be not as effective as it can be for foxes. This is because cats prefer living and moving prey - foxes are happy to scavenge. Any owner of a fussy cat knows that trying to get a cat to eat something that it has taken issue with is a waste of time, energy and resources.
Shooting, trapping and fencing
Shooting and trapping the elusive cat is difficult. Although some areas are employing ground shooting for cat control, it isn’t suitable for all terrain and is not a long-term solution.Trapping is an option for urban areas, but in national parks is labour-intensive.
Cat-proof fencing can work, and the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions maintains that they have a role, allowing for re-introduction of species in some areas. However, even with this humane method of control, it is not a perfect solution. Native species may lose anti-predator behaviours, or even alter movements and feeding patterns. Fences can be dangerous during a bushfire, and predators can sometimes manage to get inside a protected area.
Fences are also not one size fits all, so implementing and maintaining a fence that works for all pests is costly and a large endeavour. Another question to consider is if this option is future-proof? Is a fenced-off existence determined by humans (no matter how good the intentions) a desired experience? Sterilisation is (again) costly and difficult and can be stressful.
Does science have something else to offer? Yes - but not yet. CSIRO reports that Gene technology could be an eventual solution, giving cats specific genes (like infertility or one sex only) and reducing populations until eventually there can be no more breeding.
Technology like this is years away, however, with safety and ethical issues still to be researched.
Control of cats in urban areas would also need to coincide with this, ensuring that the issue doesn’t start again due to curious and hungry cats roaming and finding tasty new food sources.
Destined to be top cats?
Is feral cat eradication possible? Insiders say yes - but the caveat is appropriate funding.
Without adequate programs, the survivalist cat will continue in its cat and mouse game.
It will take a multi-pronged and long-term approach to counter the problem.
So, what can we, as individuals, do?
- If you have cats - keep them indoors. Everyone believes their little angels wouldn’t eat a living creature, but they will - and do.
- Try to encourage individuals who feed and encourage strays to desex them. This can be a difficult topic to bring up, but if you can, it’s an important one.
You can sign this petition to ask the government to take stronger action on cats in both urban and natural areas. If you are financially able, you can also donate to the Invasive Species Council here to help them continue their work.
Article by Meg Shooter
Image by Mayukh Karmakar