This critically endangered marsupial survived a bushfire – then along came the feral cats

[UngulateNerd92]

The Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 pushed a host of threatened species closer to extinction, including the critically endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart. And as our research released today shows, feral cats posed a second lethal threat to the species in the weeks after the disaster.

The Kangaroo Island dunnart is a mouse-sized marsupial found only on the western end of the island. Bushfires in January 2020 burnt more than 98% of its habitat. The dunnart population was thought to be about 500 before the fire; its current numbers are being surveyed but are thought to have since declined even further.

Cat predation has caused the extinction or near-extinction of several native species around the globe. Our results confirm for the first time that feral cats prey on the dunnart and did so directly after the bushfires.

The findings underscore the importance of acting immediately to protect threatened species from predators in the wake of catastrophic natural events.

This critically endangered marsupial survived a bushfire – then along came the feral cats

 

[Dassie rat]

I realise that a lot of people won't like this, but I agree with a cull of feral cats in Australia

 

[UngulateNerd92]

I realise that a lot of people won't like this, but I agree with a cull of feral cats in Australia

So do I! I am a staunch supporter of the feral cat culling myself! And I am sure that we are not the only ones on here who hold this belief...

 

[Great Argus]

So do I! I am a staunch supporter of the feral cat culling myself! And I am sure that we are not the only ones on here who hold this belief...

I have nothing against it either, knowing how much damage feral cats do. I've certainly noted the ground-dwelling birds do far better when there are no feral cats in my neighborhood. Unfortunately however such an idea does not go over well with the public...

 

[Dassie rat]

I have nothing against it either, knowing how much damage feral cats do. I've certainly noted the ground-dwelling birds do far better when there are no feral cats in my neighborhood. Unfortunately however such an idea does not go over well with the public...

I wonder how many members of the public agree with a cull on cane toads but not feral cats

 

[Great Argus]

I wonder how many members of the public agree with a cull on cane toads but not feral cats

Probably a lot - toad is ugly and poisonous whereas cat is cute and a common pet. Comes down to too much cute factor...

 

[Dassie rat]

There is a similar situation in Germany where many people are unhappy about being told to keep their cats indoors to protect crested larks.

 

[Pantheraman]

So do I! I am a staunch supporter of the feral cat culling myself! And I am sure that we are not the only ones on here who hold this belief...

I love cats myself, but I hold this belief as well. Feral cats just do way too much damage to be ignored or left alone.

At the same time what the government of Australia needs to do is to quit killing dingoes and treat them as native animals. They kill feral cats and foxes so they're helpful in controlling them.