[h=3]Cats in the Kimberley[/h]Cats established in the Kimberley at least by the 1920s. A study at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary suggests there is a cat every 3 km², each eating 5–12 native vertebrates daily. If this is consistent throughout the region, it means 100,000 cats, killing at least half a million native animals daily.
There are currently no effective control methods for feral cats – they are trap shy and rarely eat poisoned baits.
The most feasible option could be to cease baiting of dingoes, which appear to suppress cat activity and kill kittens. Although dingoes are also predators, they frequently take larger prey, reducing pressure on small fauna. Relationships between cats and dingoes in the region are under investigation. One study at Wongalara Sanctuary in the Northern Territory, where half the property was baited for dingos and half left unbaited, found that cat activity decreased and small lizard populations increased in the unbaited areas. Should baiting cease, the impact on pastoralists should be manageable as only low losses are currently reported.
Biological control of cats is considered technically feasible but would require a substantial change in community attitudes.
Fenced cat-free areas on islands or conservation properties may be needed to save species in the short-term.
this was borrowed from a f/b post by marty at SR
