Threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage

and the Arts

ISBN 978-0-642-55393-5

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the

Copyright Act

1968

, no part may be reproduced by any

process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth, available from the Department of the Environment,

Water, Heritage and the Arts. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to:

Assistant Secretary

Biodiversity Conservation Branch

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage

and the Arts

GPO Box 787

Canberra ACT 2601

This publication and its background document are available on the internet at:

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/tap-approved.html

They are also available by emailing the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Community

Information Unit, at ciu@environment.gov.au

or freecall 1800 803 772.

This plan should be cited as: Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008).

Threat

abatement plan for predation by feral cats

, DEWHA, Canberra.

Front cover illustration: K Gillett, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change

Technical editing and production management: Biotext Pty Ltd

Design and artwork: Design Direction

Content

1 Introduction

1.1 Threat abatement plans

1.2 Threat abatement plan for feral cats

1.2.1

The

threat

1.2.2

The

impacts

1.2.3 Managing the threat

1.2.4 The review of the 1999 TAP

1.2.5 Involvement of stakeholders

Objectives and actions

Objective

Duration, cost, implementation and evaluation of the plan

3.1 Duration and cost of the plan

3.2 Implementing the plan

3.3

Evaluating

implementation of the plan

Appendix A: Species affected by feral cats

Glossary

Acronyms and abbreviations

References

1 Introduction

This threat abatement plan (TAP) establishes a national framework to guide and coordinate Australia’s

response to the impacts of feral cats on biodiversity. It identifies the research, management and other

actions needed to ensure the long-term survival of native species and ecological communities affected by

predation by feral cats. It replaces the threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats published in 1999

(EA

1999a).

1.1 Threat abatement plans

Under the

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

(EPBC Act), the Australian

Government develops TAPs and facilitates their implementation. To progress the main strategic

development actions, the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) assesses

the potential for partnerships and co-investments with other government agencies, industry and other

stakeholders. An important part of implementation of the TAP is ensuring that knowledge of improved

abatement methods is disseminated to potential users.

Mitigating the threat of invasive species is not simply a matter of providing better technical solutions such as

improved baits for pest animal control. It also involves understanding and addressing social and economic

factors; for example, through supporting the efforts of private landholders and leaseholders to manage

invasive species on their lands for biodiversity conservation and primary production. In addition, research

and development programs for controlling vertebrate pest species need to integrate interests relating to both

primary production and environmental conservation.

Regional natural resource management plans and site-based plans provide the best scale and context for

developing operational plans to control invasive species. They allow primary production and environmental

considerations to be jointly addressed, and control to be integrated across the local priority vertebrate pests

within the scope of other natural resource management priorities.

The national coordination of pest animal control activities occurs under the Australian Pest Animal Strategy,

released in 2007 by the Natural Resource Management and Primary Industries Ministerial councils. The

Vertebrate Pests Committee, comprising representatives from all Australian, state and territory

governments, has responsibility for implementation of the strategy. This TAP provides guidance for the

management of feral cats within that broader context.

1.2 Threat abatement plan for

feral cats

1.2.1 The threat

The first recorded instance of cats being brought to Australia was by English settlers in the 18

century,

although cats may have arrived much earlier with other human visitors (Baldwin 1980). Cats were

deliberately released into the wild during the 19

century to control rabbits and mice (Rolls 1969). Today

there are about 18

million feral cats in Australia (McLeod 2004), distributed through all habitats (except some

of the wettest rainforests) in mainland Australia and Tasmania and on many offshore islands.

Feral cats are a serious vertebrate pest in Australia, and have severe effects on native fauna. Predation by

feral cats is listed as a key threatening process under the EPBC Act. Feral cats are a threat to a large

number of native species (see Appendix

A), although impacts from feral cat predation are not restricted to

these species.

This TAP has been put into place as a feasible, effective and efficient way to abate the threat of predation by

feral cats.

1.2.2 The impacts

Various characteristics help to explain the invasiveness and impact of cats. They can colonise a wide range

of habitats. As carnivores, they eat a wide range of prey and can survive with limited access to drinking

water. The survival rate of kittens is not high, but cats can breed in any season, allowing rapid increases in

numbers.

Cats have direct impacts on native fauna through predation. They can kill vertebrates weighing as much as

kg (Dickman 1996), but preferentially kill mammals weighing less than 220

g and birds less than 200

They also kill and eat reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (Dickman 1996). Cats can also have indirect

effects on native fauna by carrying and transmitting infectious diseases (DEH

2004). They are thought to

have contributed to the extinction of many small to medium-sized mammals and ground-nesting birds in the

arid zone, and to have seriously affected populations of bilby, mala and numbat (DEH 2004).

1.2.3 Managing the threat

As cats are so widely established in Australia, the focus of management is generally on abatement of the

impacts of established populations, rather than prevention and preparedness. Control of cats is difficult as

they are found in very low densities over large home ranges, making them difficult to locate. Control

methods include trapping, shooting and exclosures.

Interactions between pest species mean that control of cats can have effects on other invasive animals,

such as rabbits and rats. For example, eradication of cats from some islands (e.g. Macquarie Island) has led

to an increase in the rabbit population, resulting in extreme environmental damage, including increased

destruction of nesting sites and landslips. An understanding of these interactions is important when

designing and recommending pest animal control programs. In many situations, concurrent multi-species

programs will be required. Integrating control techniques will maximise the success of control programs.

Although total mainland eradication may be the ideal goal of a cat TAP, it is not feasible with current

resources and techniques. Cat populations must instead be suppressed and managed to mitigate impacts in

targeted areas where they pose the greatest threat to biodiversity. Eradication may be achievable in isolated

areas, such as small reserves and offshore islands. Progress in control programs must be monitored to

ensure that objectives are met and to allow management options to be adapted to changing circumstances.

Best-practice management of cats must involve reduction of the threat not only to targeted threatened

species, but also to native species that may be affected by cat predation.

1.2.4 The review of the 1999 TAP

In accordance with the requirements of the EPBC Act, the original TAP for predation by feral cats (EA

1999a) was reviewed in 2004–05 by the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) (Hart 2005) as part of a broader

review encompassing the original TAPs for foxes (EA1999b), goats (EA1999c) and rabbits (EA1999d).

The BRS review found that it was difficult to accurately determine the extent to which the cat TAP had

reduced the impacts of cats on biodiversity. This reflects the current paucity of nationally consistent data on

the ranges and densities of cats and their impacts, and the difficulties of linking outcomes in cat population

changes to the outputs of the TAP. The invasive species indicator data to be produced under the National

Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (NRMMC 2003) should improve the availability of continental

overview data over the next year or so.

The BRS surveyed a broad range of stakeholders and assessed a range of projects commissioned by the

Department of the Environment and Heritage (now the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and

the Arts) that were developed under the auspices of the existing TAPs. This has helped to identify actions

that will need to be initiated or continued into the future. The review concluded, however, that the cat-related

projects that were assessed had positively contributed to reducing the impacts of cats. Furthermore, projects

have addressed specific cat control needs in high-priority locations, and have supported the development of

a cat toxin. Of the 29 actions in the 1999 TAP for cats, many were targeted by at least one project, and

almost a third of the cat actions had been fully completed through one or more projects.

The BRS review proposed a number of changes to the actions found in the original TAP, but recommended

that the objectives remain substantially unchanged. The review suggested that the implementation of the

revised cat TAP should give priority to improved national engagement, integrated pest animal control,

flexibility in implementation, setting priorities for research, follow-through with research and development,

and establishment of a new advisory panel for vertebrate TAPs. The review also recommended that the

revised plan include measures to enhance existing processes through, for example, regional processes;

control and monitoring techniques that support on-ground management; and monitoring of key projects

according to national protocols.

This document replaces the 1999 TAP. It incorporates the knowledge gained in the intervening years and

has been modified in line with recommendations from the review. The TAP aims to guide the responsible

use of public resources and the best outcome for native species and ecological communities threatened by

predation by feral cats. The plan seeks to achieve these outcomes by recognising the opportunities and

limitations that exist, and ensuring that field experience and research are used to further improve

management of feral cats. The activities and priorities under the TAP will need to adapt to changes as they

occur.

1.2.5 Involvement of stakeholders

The successful implementation of this TAP will depend on a high level of cooperation between landholders,

community groups, local government, state and territory conservation and pest management agencies, and

the Australian Government and its agencies. Success will depend on all participants assessing cat impact

and allocating adequate resources to achieve effective on-ground control of feral cats at critical sites,

improve the effectiveness of control programs, and measure and assess outcomes. Various programs in

natural resource management, at national, state and regional levels, can make significant contributions to

implementing the plan.

2 Objectives and actions

The goal of this TAP is to minimise the impact of feral cats on biodiversity in Australia and its territories by:

•

protecting affected native species and ecological communities, and

•

preventing further species and ecological communities from becoming threatened.

To achieve this goal, the plan has five main objectives, developed through the review of the previous TAP

(Hart 2005) and consultation with experts. These objectives are to:

1. prevent feral cats occupying new areas in Australia and eradicate feral cats from high- conservation-

value ‘islands’

2. promote the maintenance and recovery of native species and ecological communities that are affected

by feral cat predation

3. improve knowledge and understanding of feral cat impacts and interactions with other species and other

ecological processes

4. improve effectiveness, target specificity, humaneness and integration of control options for feral cats,

and

5. increase awareness of all stakeholders of the objectives and actions of the TAP, and of the need to

control and manage feral cats.

Each objective is accompanied by a set of actions, which, when implemented, will help to achieve the goal

of the plan. Performance indicators have been established for each objective. Progress will be assessed by

determining the extent to which the performance indicators have been met.

The sections below provide background on each objective, followed by a table listing the actions required to

meet the objective. Twenty-one actions have been developed to meet the five objectives.

Priorities for each action are given in the tables below, categorised as ‘very high’, ‘high’ or ‘medium’. Each

action has also been assigned a timeframe within which the outcome could be achieved once the action has

commenced. Timeframes are categorised as short term (i.e. within three years), medium term (i.e. within

three to five years) or long term (i.e. five years or beyond).

Objective 1

Prevent feral cats occupying new areas in Australia and eradicate feral cats from high- conservation-

value ‘islands’

Key actions for Objective

1 include identifying ‘islands’ of high conservation value, ranking the risk to such

areas posed by feral cats, and developing and implementing management plans to protect such areas from

feral cats. The actions are designed to prevent feral cats from extending their range in Australia, and to

remove them from high-conservation-value ‘islands’ where this is feasible. The actions focus on offshore

islands and on mainland ‘islands’ that are isolated or currently do not have cats. These actions are of

medium to very high priority and many could be achieved within the next three to five years. Offshore islands

are particularly significant as areas that can be maintained as cat free. DEWHA is establishing a national

database of introduced animals across Australian offshore islands that will complement this work.

Action

1.1 focuses on collating data on conservation values of ‘islands’, the likelihood of significant impacts

from cats, and the risk that predation by feral cats will become a threat in these areas.

Action

1.2 recognises the importance of targeting landholders and managers within and adjacent to cat-free

areas of high conservation value with information that raises awareness of the threat posed by cats, to

encourage community support for maintaining the cat-free status of these areas.

Action

1.3 develops contingency plans for preventing, monitoring and, if an incursion occurs, containing and

eradicating feral cats in areas with high conservation values. Assessment of invasion risk by cats should use

population genetic approaches for identifying past invasion routes. Action

1.4 implements these plans.

Action

1.5 involves eradicating established populations of feral cats from those ‘islands’ considered of high

conservation value, depending on feasibility and cost-effectiveness of eradication. These actions cannot be

completed until Action

3.1 is complete. All planning and implementation work needs to recognise that cats

are but one of many pests facing land managers and therefore should be undertaken within the context of

integrated management activities.

It is important to determine whether eradication of feral cats leads to recovery of native species and

ecological communities. Therefore, Action

1.6 involves monitoring numbers of native prey species in areas

from which feral cats have been eradicated. Such monitoring should be carried out in line with national

monitoring protocols, as soon as these are available (see Action 3.1).

Performance indicators

•

No further establishments of feral cats in cat-free areas, particularly on offshore islands.

•

Local communities recognise the importance for high conservation areas to be kept cat free.

•

Successful eradication of isolated populations of feral cats where this is attempted.

•

Increased populations of affected native species in areas from which cats, and other invasive species,

have been eradicated.

Action

Priority and timeframe

1.1 Collate data on islands and on isolated mainland ‘islands’, assess their

conservation value, the likelihood of significant biodiversity impacts from
cats, and if there are no cats present, rank the level of risk of cats being
introduced and having impacts in these areas.

High priority, short term

1.2 Work with communities, landholders and managers in and adjacent to cat-

free areas of high conservation value to minimise the chance of an
incursion.

High priority, medium term

1.3 Develop management plans to prevent, monitor and, if incursions occur,

contain and eradicate any incursion by feral cats for ‘islands’ with high
conservation values.

Medium priority, medium term

1.4 Implement management plans for high-conservation-value ‘islands’,

including prevention and monitoring actions, and containment or eradication
actions if incursions occur.

Very high priority, medium term

1.5 Eradicate established populations of feral cats from areas with high

conservation values where this is considered feasible and cost-effective and
is a high conservation priority.

Very high priority, long term

1.6 Monitor (using national monitoring protocols) native prey species in areas

from which feral cats have been eradicated.

Medium priority, long term

Objective 2

Promote the maintenance and recovery of native species and ecological communities that are

affected by feral cat predation

Key actions for Objective

2 include identifying priority areas for feral cat control, implementing and

supporting regional control programs, and applying incentives for promoting and maintaining control

programs adjacent to the priority areas. Actions

2.1–2.3 focus programs in feral cat control on the

maintenance and recovery of native species and ecological communities affected by feral cat predation.

These actions are of high or very high priority and all will require a medium-term commitment.

Control of feral cats in Australia at a continental scale is not feasible using the methods currently available.

Therefore, it is necessary to identify priority areas for control based on scientific evidence of the significance

of the population of native species or of the ecological community affected and the degree of impact posed

by feral cats, relative to other impacts. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of a control program must be

considered. These activities are covered by Action

2.1. Identification of priority areas could involve mapping

the distribution of susceptible species, high-risk habitats and feral cats, to produce a national overview of

priority regions (e.g. using the approach outlined in Dickman

[1996] and NSW NPWS

[2001]).

Once priority areas have been identified, the next step is to implement regional control, as described in

Action

2.2. Organisations implementing control programs will be encouraged to focus on areas where feral

cat control will help to reduce the threat to native species. The success of control programs should be

monitored, applying national monitoring protocols as soon as these are available (see Action 3.1).

It is important to promote cat control in priority areas and in adjacent areas, to prevent reinvasion. Action

2.3

focuses on applying incentives for such actions on private and leasehold lands within and adjacent to priority

areas.

Performance indicators

•

Priority areas, where cat control is required to protect affected fauna, have been identified and are a

focus for cat control programs.

•

All feral cat control work involves pre and post-control monitoring of feral cat populations and key native

species, according to national protocols, to measure the outcomes of control operations.

•

Reliable native species population indicators are used to measure the outcome of reduced pest

populations.

Action

Priority and timeframe

2.1 Identify priority areas for feral cat control based on:

•

the significance of the ecological community or the regional population
of the native species threatened by feral cats

•

the degree of threat posed by feral cats to species or ecological
communities relative to other threats

•

the cost-effectiveness of maintaining feral cat populations below an
identified ‘threat threshold’ in the region, and

•

the feasibility of effective remedial action.

Very high priority, medium term

2.2 Conduct and monitor regional feral cat control through new or existing

programs, in priority areas identified in Action

2.1.

High priority, medium term

2.3 Apply existing and new incentives to promote and maintain on-ground feral

cat control on private or leasehold lands within or adjacent to priority sites
identified in Action

2.1.

High priority, medium term

Objective 3

Improve knowledge and understanding of feral cat impacts and interactions with other species and

other ecological processes

Key actions for Objective

3 include developing simple, cost-effective methods for monitoring impacts;

improving knowledge of interactions between feral cats and native carnivores; improving knowledge of

interactions between feral cats, foxes and wild dogs; identifying the potential impacts of cat-borne diseases;

and identifying the unintended effects of feral cat control in isolation from other activities. Actions

3.1–3.5

focus on ensuring that feral cat programs do not lead to unintended effects and that control activities are

targeted strategically, through better understanding of the impacts of feral cats and their interactions with

other species. These actions are of medium to high priority and some could be achieved within the next three

to five years, although others will require a long-term commitment. A range of available genetic marker

analyses may be useful in improving our knowledge of cat ecology and how best to manage cats. Genetic

markers can, for example, help improve understanding of invasion routes and population dynamics.

To determine the effectiveness of feral cat control programs, Action

3.1 is to develop simple, cost-effective

methods for monitoring the impact of this invasive species on affected species and ecological processes

relative to other sources of impact. Monitoring methods need to be reliable for different densities of both feral

cats and the native species they prey on, and once developed should be adopted as national standards.

Areas for investigation include the feasibility and practicality of individual identification of cats by genotyping

scats or hairs, to help estimate cat abundance, particularly at low densities.

Interactions between feral cats and other species need to be considered when undertaking control

programs. Action

3.2 is to investigate interactions between feral cats and native carnivores to improve

understanding of the impact of feral cats on these species in terms of competition and predation. Similarly,

Action

3.3 is to investigate interactions between feral cats, foxes and wild dogs (competition, predation or

both) so that control activities for these three species can be more effectively integrated. For example,

certain fences used to exclude feral cats can also exclude foxes and wild dogs.

Action

3.4 is to investigate the impact and potential impact on native species posed by cat-borne diseases

such as toxoplasmosis.

Action

3.5 is to identify any unintended effects that feral cat control may have if it is not integrated with other

management activities. This action depends on the results of Actions

3.2–3.4.

Performance indicators

•

Reliable feral cat monitoring techniques have been developed.

•

Feral cat control activities are targeted more strategically and better integrated with control of other

invasive species.

•

The unintended effects of feral cat control are avoided.

Action

Priority and timeframe

3.1 Develop simple, cost-effective methods for monitoring the impacts of feral cats,

including reliable methods for monitoring feral cats and key native species at
different densities.

High priority, short term

3.2 Investigate interactions between feral cats and native carnivores to identify the

relative significance of competition and predation by feral cats.

Medium priority, long term

3.3 Determine the nature of interactions between feral cats, foxes and wild dogs to

effectively integrate control activities for all three species.

High priority, medium term

3.4 Determine impacts of cat-borne diseases, such as toxoplasmosis, on native

species.

Medium priority, long term

3.5 Identify any unintended effects that feral cat control may cause if conducted in

isolation from other management activities.

High priority, medium term

Objective 4

Improve the effectiveness, target specificity, humaneness and integration of control options for feral

cats

Key actions for Objective

4 include developing a toxin–bait that would allow broadscale management,

determining baiting strategies for different regions and holistic control programs, increasing strategic use of

exclusion fencing, and increasing the adoption of standard control methods. Actions

4.1–4.5 focus on

improving feral cat control through better use of existing techniques and the development of new techniques,

including those for monitoring success of control in the field. Many of these actions require a medium-term

commitment.

A major obstacle to control of feral cats is the lack of a toxin–bait that is attractive to cats. In response to this

situation, Action

4.1 is to expedite existing work on such a product. Consideration should be given to a

critical review of feral cat bait research. Effective feral cat control requires a high density of surface-laid

baits; therefore, a toxin–bait needs to have a soft core (so it is palatable to cats) yet be unattractive or

inaccessible to non-target species (e.g. birds, goannas, snakes) that are potentially at risk from current

poisons such as para-aminopropiophenone (PAPP). This action is very high priority, and needs to be

achieved as soon as possible, so that broadscale control of feral cats becomes feasible.

Once an appropriate bait has been developed, the next step (Action

4.2) will be to determine appropriate

baiting strategies for various regions. This needs to include investigation of timing, frequency, bait density

and placement, based on scientific evidence of prey availability, feral cat movements and areas that the

animals use as refuges (e.g. during drought).

Where feral cats are eradicated from an area, rehabilitation may be needed to promote the recovery of

native species and ecological communities. Interactions between species also need to be considered; for

example, feral cats may be keeping another invasive species (e.g. rabbits) in check. Therefore, Action

4.3 is

to take an integrated approach to control of feral cats, covering habitat rehabilitation and management of

potential prey, competitors and predators. Such integrated control methods link with the identification of

unintended effects, which are dealt with in Action

3.5 above.

Action

4.4 is to test and disseminate information on exclusion fencing, which has been successful in some

areas. For example, in Queensland, eradication campaigns within exclusion areas have protected bilby

colonies from feral cats and other predators. Fencing can be more cost-effective than baiting (which is

ongoing) for particular habitats or topography.

To ensure feral cat control follows best practice, Action

4.5 is to promote the adoption and adaptation of the

model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the humane capture, handling and

destruction of feral animals in Australia. This includes their recognition as a reference under the National

Competency Standards for Vertebrate Pest Management (NTIS 2007).

Performance indicators

•

Widespread use of improved cat baiting tools and methods.

•

Increased use of exclusion fencing in situations where fencing is considered to be more cost-effective

than ongoing baiting and to protect critically endangered species.

•

Increased adoption and adaptation of the model codes of practice and standard operating procedures

for humane management of feral cats, including their recognition as a reference under the National

Competency Standards for Vertebrate Pest Management.

Action

Priority and timeframe

4.1 Develop an effective toxin–bait for cats.

Very high priority, medium
term

4.2 Determine appropriate baiting strategies for various regions.

High priority, medium term

4.3 Ensure that habitat rehabilitation and management of potential prey,

competitors and predators of feral cats are considered in feral cat control
programs.

Medium priority, medium term

4.4 Test and disseminate information on exclusion fence designs regarding their

cost-effectiveness for particular habitats or topography.

Medium priority, long term

4.5 Continue to promote the adoption and adaptation of model codes of practice

and standard operating procedures for the humane management of feral
cats.

Medium priority, medium term

Objective 5

Increase awareness of all stakeholders of the objectives and actions of the TAP, and of the need to

control and manage feral cats

Key actions for Objective

5 include preparation and distribution of extension material, and linking of all

broadscale control programs to specific communication campaigns. Actions

5.1–5.2 focus on ensuring that

the actions taken under the TAP, the impact of feral cats, and the need for control actions are better

communicated to stakeholders. These actions are high priority and could be achieved within the next three

years.

Action

5.1 involves preparation and distribution of extension materials. Extension materials will help to

promote support for the 19

actions listed in Objectives

1–4 of the TAP, and promote understanding of, and

use of, effective feral cat control techniques.

Since cats are kept as pets, there are public sensitivities to broadscale programs for feral cat control.

Action

5.2 is therefore to develop a specific communication campaign to accompany such broadscale control

programs when they occur.

Performance indicators

•

Widespread use of current best-practice techniques in feral cat control.

•

Increased awareness of the impacts of feral cats.

•

Increased awareness of the TAP actions and objectives.

•

Community support for the use of lethal control methods.

Action

Priority and timeframe

5.1 Promote:

•

broad understanding of the threat to biodiversity posed by feral cats and
support for their control

•

support for the specific actions to be undertaken under this plan

•

the use of humane and cost-effective feral cat control methods

•

best-practice effective cat control in all tenures, and

•

understanding of predation by feral cats as a key threatening process.

High priority, short term

5.2 Develop specific communication campaigns to accompany the release of new

broadscale cat control techniques, in order to address public sensitivities
about cat control.

Very high priority, short term

3 Duration, cost, implementation and evaluation of the plan

3.1 Duration and cost of the plan

This plan reflects the fact that the threat abatement process is likely to be ongoing, as there is no likelihood

of nationally eradicating all feral cats in the foreseeable future.

Investment in many of the TAP actions will be determined by the level of resources that stakeholders commit

to management of the problem. The total cost of implementation cannot be quantified at the time of writing.

In most cases, the ongoing costs of cat control will be high. Current options for control in mainland areas are

trapping, shooting and construction of exclosures. All are expensive, time consuming and not suitable for

broadscale implementation. Recent studies estimated the annual expenditure on feral cat control as

$1.0

million (Bomford and Hart 2002) and $1.1

million (Reddiex et al. 2006). This relatively low current

control cost is due to the lack of a suitable broadscale control technique. Once such a technique becomes

available, national control costs are likely to increase dramatically.

This TAP provides a framework for undertaking targeted priority actions. Budgetary and other constraints may

affect the achievement of the objectives of this plan, and as knowledge changes, proposed actions may be

modified over the life of the plan. Australian Government funds may be available to implement key national

environmental priorities, such as relevant actions listed in this plan and actions identified in regional natural

resource management plans.

3.2 Implementing the plan

DEWHA will work with other Australian Government agencies, state and territory governments and national

and regional industry and community groups, to facilitate the implementation of the plan. There are many

different stakeholder interests and perspectives to take into account in managing cats. For example,

Indigenous communities’ views need to be fully considered. It will be important to consult and involve the

range of stakeholders in implementing the actions in this plan.

The Australian Government will implement the plan as it applies to Commonwealth land.

DEWHA will support a TAP implementation team to assist and advise on the implementation of the plan.

The team will draw on expertise in vertebrate pest management from state and territory agencies, and non-

government organisations.

This TAP will operate under the overarching framework of the Australian Biosecurity System for Primary

Production and the Environment (AusBIOSEC) and in the context of the Australian Pest Animal Strategy,

both of which aim to reduce the impacts of invasive species on native species and ecosystems.

3.3 Evaluating implementation

of the plan

It will be difficult to assess directly the effectiveness of the plan in abating the impacts of feral cats on

Australia’s biodiversity. However, the National Natural Resource Management Monitoring and Evaluation

Framework (NRMMC 2003) established a program to provide national information about resource condition

on a range of biophysical matters, including threats from vertebrate species such as cats. As part of this work,

a range of indicators will provide information on the extent of the impact of priority vertebrate species on

biodiversity, as well as national trends on their distribution and abundance.

Appendix A: Species affected by feral cats

Table A1: Threatened species and critical habitat that may be adversely affected by feral cats

Type/category

Scientific name

Common name

Current status

Listed threatened species that may be adversely affected by feral cats

Birds

Cereopsis
novaehollandiae grisea

Cape Barren goose (southwestern),
Recherche Cape Barren goose

Vulnerable

Chalcophaps indica
natalis

Emerald dove (Christmas Island)

Endangered

Cinclosoma punctatum
anachoreta

Spotted quail-thrush (Mt Lofty Ranges)

Critically
endangered

Cyanoramphus cookii

( listed as

Cyanoramphus

novaezelandiae cookii

)

Norfolk Island green parrot

Endangered

Dasyornis brachypterus

Eastern bristlebird

Endangered

Diomedea exulans

Wandering albatross

Vulnerable

Fregetta grallaria grallaria

White-bellied storm-petrel (Tasman Sea),
white-bellied storm-petrel (Australasian)

Vulnerable

Gallirallus philippensis
andrewsi

Buff-banded rail (Cocos [Keeling] Islands)

Endangered

Halobaena caerulea

Blue petrel

Vulnerable

Lathamus discolor

Swift parrot

Endangered

Leipoa ocellata

Malleefowl Vulnerable

Leucocarbo atriceps
purpurascens

( listed as

Phalacrocorax

purpurascens

)

Imperial shag (Macquarie Island)

Vulnerable

Lichenostomus melanops
cassidix

Helmeted honeyeater

Endangered

Type/category

Scientific name

Common name

Current status

Listed threatened species that may be adversely affected by feral cats

Birds

(continued)

Macronectes giganteus

Southern giant-petrel

Endangered

Malurus coronatus
coronatus

Purple-crowned fairy-wren (western)

Vulnerable

Malurus leucopterus
leucopterus

White-winged fairy-wren (Dirk Hartog
Island), Dirk Hartog black-and-white fairy-
wren

Vulnerable

Melanodryas cucullata
melvillensis

Hooded robin (Tiwi Islands)

Endangered

Neophema chrysogaster

Orange-bellied parrot

Critically
endangered

Pachycephala pectoralis
xanthoprocta

Golden whistler (Norfolk Island)

Vulnerable

Pachyptila turtur
subantarctica

Fairy prion (southern)

Vulnerable

Pardalotus quadragintus

Forty-spotted pardalote

Endangered

Pedionomus torquatus

Plains-wanderer Vulnerable

Petroica multicolor
multicolor

Scarlet robin (Norfolk Island)

Vulnerable

Pezoporus occidentalis

Night parrot

Endangered

Pezoporus wallicus
flaviventris

Western ground parrot

Endangered

Pterodroma heraldica

Herald petrel

Critically
endangered

Pterodroma leucoptera
leucoptera

Gould’s petrel

Endangered

Pterodroma mollis

Soft-plumaged petrel

Vulnerable

Type/category

Scientific name

Common name

Current status

Listed threatened species that may be adversely affected by feral cats

Pterodroma neglecta
neglecta

Kermadec petrel (western)

Vulnerable

Sterna vittata bethunei

Antarctic tern (New Zealand)

Endangered

Sterna vittata vittata

Antarctic tern (Indian Ocean)

Vulnerable

Stipiturus malachurus
intermedius

Southern emu-wren (Fleurieu Peninsula),
Mount Lofty southern emu-wren

Endangered

Thalassarche
chrysostoma

Grey-headed albatross

Vulnerable

Thalassarche melanophris

Black-browed albatross

Vulnerable

Mammals

Turnix melanogaster

Black-breasted button-quail

Vulnerable

Bettongia lesueur lesueur

Boodie, burrowing bettong (Shark Bay)

Vulnerable

Bettongia lesueur

unnamed subsp.

Boodie, burrowing bettong (Barrow and
Boodie Islands)

Vulnerable

Burramys parvus

Mountain pygmy-possum

Endangered

Dasycercus byrnei

Kowari Vulnerable

Dasycercus cristicauda

Mulgara Vulnerable

Dasycercus hillieri

Ampurta Endangered

Hipposideros semoni

Semon’s leaf-nosed bat, greater wart-nosed
horseshoe-bat

Endangered

Isoodon auratus auratus

Golden bandicoot (mainland) Vulnerable

Isoodon obesulus
obesulus

Southern brown bandicoot

Endangered

Type/category

Scientific name

Common name

Current status

Listed threatened species that may be adversely affected by feral cats

Lagorchestes hirsutus
bernieri

Rufous hare-wallaby (Bernier Island)

Vulnerable

Lagorchestes hirsutus
dorreae

Rufous hare-wallaby (Dorre Island)

Vulnerable

Lagorchestes hirsutus

unnamed subsp.

Mala, rufous hare-wallaby (central mainland
form)

Endangered

Lagostrophus fasciatus
fasciatus

Banded hare-wallaby, marnine, munning

Vulnerable

Leporillus conditor

Wopilkara, greater stick-nest rat

Vulnerable

Macrotis lagotis

Greater bilby

Vulnerable

Myrmecobius fasciatus

Numbat Vulnerable

Notoryctes caurinus

Karkarratul, northern marsupial mole

Endangered

Notoryctes typhlops

Yitjarritjarri, southern marsupial mole

Endangered

Onychogalea fraenata

Bridled nail-tail wallaby

Endangered

Parantechinus apicalis

Dibbler Endangered

Perameles bougainville
bougainville

Western barred bandicoot (Shark Bay)

Endangered

Perameles gunnii gunnii

Eastern barred bandicoot (Tasmania)

Vulnerable

Perameles gunnii

unnamed subsp.

Eastern barred bandicoot (mainland)

Endangered

Petaurus gracilis

Mahogany glider

Endangered

Petrogale lateralis

MacDonnell Ranges race

Warru, black-footed rock-wallaby

Vulnerable

Type/category

Scientific name

Common name

Current status

Listed threatened species that may be adversely affected by feral cats

Petrogale penicillata

Brush-tailed rock-wallaby

Vulnerable

Petrogale persephone

Proserpine rock-wallaby

Endangered

Mammals

(continued)

Phascogale calura

Red-tailed phascogale

Endangered

Potorous gilbertii

Gilbert’s potoroo

Critically
endangered

Potorous longipes

Long-footed potoroo

Endangered

Pseudomys fieldi

Djoongari, Alice Springs mouse, Shark Bay
mouse

Vulnerable

Pseudomys fumeus

Konoom, smoky mouse

Endangered

Pseudomys oralis

Hastings River mouse

Endangered

Sminthopsis aitkeni

Kangaroo Island dunnart

Endangered

Sminthopsis douglasi

Julia Creek dunnart

Endangered

Zyzomys pedunculatus

Central rock-rat

Endangered

Reptiles

Delma impar

Striped legless lizard

Vulnerable

Egernia kintorei

Great desert skink, tjakura, warrarna,
mulyamiji

Vulnerable

Egernia obiri

Arnhem Land egernia

Endangered

Eulamprus leuraensis

Blue Mountains water skink

Endangered

Eulamprus tympanum
marnieae

Corangamite water skink

Endangered

Hoplocephalus
bungaroides

Broad-headed snake

Vulnerable

Type/category

Scientific name

Common name

Current status

Listed threatened species that may be adversely affected by feral cats

Lepidodactylus listeri

Lister’s gecko, Christmas Island gecko

Vulnerable

Amphibians

Heleioporus australiacus

Giant burrowing frog

Vulnerable

Litoria aurea

Green and golden bell frog

Vulnerable

Philoria frosti

Baw Baw frog

Endangered

Type/category

Scientific name

Common name

Current status

Unlisted species or taxa that could be adversely affected by feral cats

Birds

Amytornis textilis textilis

Thick-billed grasswren (western)

Phaethon rubricauda
westralis

Red-tailed tropicbird

Puffinus assimilis

Little shearwater

Zosterops tenuirostris

Norfolk Island white-eye, slender-billed
white-eye

Reptile

Cryptoblepharus egeriae

Blue-tailed skink

Emoia nativitatis

Forest skink

Listed critical habitat

Diomedea exulans

(Wandering albatross) — Macquarie Island

Thalassarche chrysostoma

(Grey-headed albatross) — Macquarie Island

Glossary

Critically endangered

Under the EPBC Act, a native species is eligible to be included in the

critically endangered category at a particular time if, at that time, it is facing

an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as

determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Endangered

Under the EPBC Act, a native species is eligible to be included in the

endangered category at a particular time if, at that time, (a) it is not critically

endangered; and (b) it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in

the near future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria.

Feral

An introduced animal, formerly in domestication, with an established, self-

supporting population in the wild.

Genotyping

The process of determining the genotype (i.e. the genetic makeup) of an

individual with a biological assay.

Invasive species

A species occurring as a result of human activities beyond its accepted

normal distribution and which threatens valued environmental, agricultural or

personal resources by the damage it causes (Beeton et al. 2006).

Key threatening process

Under the EPBC Act, a process that threatens or may threaten the survival,

abundance or evolutionary development of a native species or ecological

community.

Performance indicator

A criterion or measure that provides information on the extent to which a

policy, program or initiative is achieving its outcomes.

Pest animal or species

Any non-human species of animal that causes trouble locally or over a wide

area, to one or more persons, either by being a health hazard or a general

nuisance, or by causing damage to agriculture, wild ecosystems or natural

resources.

Threat abatement plan

Under the EPBC Act, a plan providing for the research, management and

any other actions necessary to reduce the impact of a listed key threatening

process on affected species and ecological communities.

Threatened species

A species under the EPBC Act listed as critically endangered, endangered,

vulnerable or conservation dependent.

Vulnerable

Under the EPBC Act, a native species is eligible to be included in the

vulnerable category at a particular time if, at that time, (a) it is not critically

endangered or endangered; and (b) it is facing a high risk of extinction in the

wild in the medium-term future, as determined in accordance with the

prescribed criteria.

References

Baldwin SA (1980). The domestic cat,

Felis catus

L., in the Pacific Islands.

Carnivore Genetics Newsletter

41:57–66.

Beeton RJS, Buckley K, Jones G, Morgan D, Reichelt R and Trewin D (2006).

Australia state of the

environment 2006,

independent report to the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and

Heritage,

Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra.

Bomford M and Hart Q (2002). Non-indigenous vertebrates in Australia. In:

Biological invasions: economic

and environmental costs of alien plant, animal, and microbe species,

Pimentel D (ed), CRC Press,

London, 25–44.

DEH (Department of the Environment and Heritage) (2004).

The feral cat

(Felis catus), Australian DEH,

Canberra.

http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity.invasive/publications/cat/index.html (Accessed December 2006)

DEWHA (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts) (2008).

Background document for

the threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats,

DEWHA,

Canberra.

Dickman CR (1996).

Overview of the impact of feral cats on Australian native fauna,

report to the Australian

Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/cat-impacts/index.html (Accessed December

2006)

EA (Environment Australia) (1999a).

Threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats,

EA, Canberra.

EA (Environment Australia) (1999b).

Threat abatement plan for predation by the European red fox,

EA,

Canberra.

EA (Environment Australia) (1999c).

Threat abatement plan for predation by feral goats,

EA, Canberra.

EA (Environment Australia) (1999d).

Threat abatement plan for predation by feral rabbits,

EA, Canberra.

Hart Q (2005).

A review of the Commonwealth Government’s threat abatement plans for feral goats, feral

rabbits, feral cats and the European red fox,

final report for the Australian Government Department of the

Environment and Heritage, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra.

McLeod R (2004).

Counting the cost: impact of invasive animals in Australia, 2004,

Cooperative Research

Centre for Pest Animal Control, Canberra.

NRMMC (Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council) (2003).

National natural resource

management monitoring and evaluation framework.

http://www.nrm.gov.au/publications/frameworks/me-framework.html (Accessed August 2007)

NSW NPWS (New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service) (2001).

Threat abatement plan for

predation by the red fox

(Vulpes vulpes), NSW NPWS, Hurstville.

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Predation+by+the+red+fox+-

+final+threat+abatement+plan (Accessed December 2006)

NTIS (National Training Information Service) (2007).

National competency standards for vertebrate pest

management

(RTD1501A, RTD4406A, RTD5402A).

http://www.ntis.gov.au/Default.aspx?/TrainingPackage/RTE03/volume/RTE03_4/importedunit (Accessed

November 2007)