Cat Management

In the Wet Tropics, cats pose a serious threat to native wildlife and ecosystems. Whether owned or unowned, their predatory instincts and rapid reproduction can lead to devastating impacts on birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

WHAT IS CAT MANAGEMENT?

Cat management involves strategies and actions to contain owned cats and manage unowned cats-to protect native wildlife and ecosystems. Cats are particularly problematic in tropical regions due to their predatory behaviour on unique and endemic wildlife.

WHY ARE THEY A PROBLEM?

Cats are responsible for significant declines in native species through predation and competition, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. They are listed as a key threatening process under Australian legislation. Cats also spread diseases like toxoplasmosis, which can affect wildlife, livestock, and humans. They occur in every part of mainland Australia as well as on many islands.

CHARACTERISTICS 

Cats are highly adaptable predators found across almost all habitats, including rainforests, savannahs, deserts and urban areas. Outside domestic situations where they are required to be contained, they are solitary and nocturnal, with a diet consisting mainly of small animals including birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs.

HOW TO SPOT THEM ON YOUR PROPERTY 

Feral cats are most likely to be spotted near water sources or hiding in dense vegetation. More frequently, you will only see tracks, scats containing hair and evidence of predation, such as feathers or carcasses.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

• Responsible cat ownership: Practicing responsible pet ownership and containment of domestic cats is essential to reducing impacts on local wildlife. Cat runs are great ways to keep cats safe and prevent them from preying on local wildlife.
• Desexing: Cats can produce up to three litters of kittens each year which can in turn reproduce at an age of four to five months. Two entire cats can result in thousands of offspring from multiple generations within four years.
• Exclusion fencing: Installing cat-proof fencing to protect sensitive areas or wildlife populations is effective but can be prohibitively expensive. It is usually used when a prey species is threatened with extinction due to predation.
• Trapping: Cage traps can be effective in urban and peri urban areas where cats are familiar with human food sources. Rubber jawed traps can sometimes be useful for unowned cats not familiar with people but they require a lot of skill to deploy.
• Baiting: There is a growing toolkit of field-based control options for managing cats in natural settings, although some are not effective for the Wet Tropics. Strict conditions apply on their use.
• Shooting: Shooting at night can be effective for reducing local cat numbers, using a spotlight to detect cats’ distinctive green eyeshine. Cats are sometimes attracted to prey-based whistles that mimic distress calls of small mammals like rabbits.
• Habitat management: Reducing shelter and food sources in urban and peri-urban areas can limit cat populations. Managing prey items like rabbits can reduce food sources for feral predators.