Live-capture of feral cats using different methods

McGregor, H. W., Hampton, J. O., Lisle, D., & Legge, S. (2016). Live-capture of feral cats using tracking dogs and darting, with comparisons to leg-hold trapping. Wildlife Research, 43(4), 313-322.

Context: Predation by feral cats is a key threatening process to many species of native Australian wildlife. Unfortunately, cats are difficult to capture using standard trapping techniques, limiting the potential to conduct research on their ecology and impacts.

Aims: We present an alternative capture method: remote chemical immobilisation after tracking with trained dogs. We also compare capture rates to a concurrent soft-jaw leg-hold trapping program.

Methods: We used dogs to capture cats detected by spotlighting at night, and also recaptured cats fitted with telemetry collars during the day. Cats were either bailed on the ground or treed and then hand-netted, or chemically immobilised using darts shot from a CO2-powered dart rifle, loaded with tiletamine–zolazepam at ~6 mg kg–1. Factors affecting the success rate of capturing cats using dogs were assessed. Efficiency in terms of cats captured per person-hours of fieldwork were compared using trained dogs versus leg-hold trapping.

Key results: We attempted 160 cat captures using the tracking dogs with 114 of those being successful. There were no mortalities or debilitating physical injuries associated with chemical immobilisation; however, sedated cats had prolonged recoveries (>4 h). Capture success with the tracking dogs increased as the dogs gained experience. Capture success rates per person-hour of fieldwork were four times greater using spotlighting with tracking dogs than using leg-hold traps. The success rate of recaptures using dogs was 97%.

Conclusions: The use of trained tracking dogs proved an effective method for capturing feral cats. The method had a much higher success rate than live-trapping with leg-hold traps, took less effort (in terms of person-hours) and caused less physical injuries than did leg-hold traps. However, substantial setup costs and time are required, which are discussed.

Implications: Using these methods could improve efficiency and outcomes when catching feral cats, and enable more data per individual cat to be collected than otherwise.

TNR and TVHR as methods to control nuisance from feral cats

Ireland, T., & Neilan, R. M. (2016). A spatial agent-based model of feral cats and analysis of population and nuisance controls. Ecological Modelling, 337, 123-136.

Free-roaming feral cats are common in areas of concentrated human habitation, and can pose considerable threats of nuisance and damage to native ecosystems. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) and trap-vasectomy-hysterectomy-return (TVHR) are two humane methods for the reproductive control of feral cat populations. Both TNR and TVHR render a cat infertile, but cats that have undergone TVHR continue to produce hormones that drive mating behaviors. We built a stochastic agent-based computational model for simulating the survival, reproduction, and movement of individual feral cats and the use of TNR and TVHR to modify cats’ reproductive abilities and behaviors. Daily movement of cats between colonies is implemented based on the distance between colonies and landscape properties (e.g. rural, urban). Spatially targeted TNR and TVHR policies are evaluated using two management goals: (1) reduce total population size and (2) reduce nuisance attributed to feral cats. Nuisance includes spraying and noise, both of which are associated with un-neutered males, as well as population abundance. Results indicate that both TNR and TVHR have the potential to greatly reduce population size. Effectiveness of each control depends on the capture rate, number of colonies targeted, size of each colony, and movement of individual cats between colonies. Results show that on average TVHR performs moderately better than TNR at reducing population size, but TNR substantially outperforms TVHR in reducing multiple nuisance measures.

Modelling the population control of the domestic cat from an island

Lessa, I. C. M., & Bergallo, H. G. (2012). Modelling the population control of the domestic cat: an example from an island in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 72(3), 445-452.

The domestic cat is an invasive species that often causes great impacts where introduced due to its high predatory and reproductive potential, especially on islands. In this study, carried out on Ilha Grande (RJ, Brazil), we aimed to: i) estimate the population density of domestic cats, ii) calculate the number of animals preyed upon annually by domestic cats, and iii) evaluate the efficiency of methods to control the cat population. We used the Vortex program to project the population growth of domestic cats in fifty years, and simulated different scenarios of population control (without control, castration, spay and harvest). Population density of owned cats was 662 cats/km². The annual predation rate was 1.97 prey animals/cat which is an average of 1497.96 prey/year. The population would only be reduced if 70% of females were spayed or removed annually. Measures to control the domestic cat population must be undertaken urgently, since uncontrolled growth of this predator has the potential to seriously impact the biodiversity of Ilha Grande.

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O gato doméstico é uma espécie invasora que frequentemente causa grandes impactos onde é introduzido, em razão do seu alto potencial predatório e reprodutivo, especialmente em ilhas. Com este estudo realizado na Ilha Grande-RJ, Brasil, tivemos como objetivos: i) estimar a densidade populacional de gatos domésticos; ii) calcular o número de animais predados anualmente por gatos domésticos, e iii) estimar a eficiência de métodos para o controle da população de gatos. Nós utilizamos o programa Vortex para projetar o crescimento da população de gatos em 50 anos e simulamos diferentes cenários de controle populacional: sem controle, castração, esterilização de fêmeas e remoção de indivíduos. A densidade populacional de gatos que possuem donos foi de 662 gatos/km². A taxa anual de predação foi de 1,97 animais predados/gato, ou seja, uma média de 1497,96 presas/ano. A população de gatos pode ser reduzida apenas se no mínimo 70% das fêmeas forem esterilizadas ou removidas anualmente. Medidas para o controle populacional de gatos domésticos devem ser tomadas com urgência, uma vez que o crescimento descontrolado da população desse predador tem o potencial de causar graves impactos à biodiversidade da Ilha Grande.

Stray dog control and zoonotic disease prevention in Grenada

Marisa, D., Cotran, E. K., Bidaisee, S., & Keku, E. O. (2016). The Effectivenessof Stray Dog Control and Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Global Health: An One Health Approach from Grenada. J Translational Diagn Technol, 1(1), 1-6.

Introduction: CranThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of stray dog control and disease prevention in Grenada by using a one health approach and address the associated global health implications.
Methods: A review of stray dog policy in Grenada, descriptive statistics analysis and interviews were conducted. World Organization for Animal Health’s and Grenada Dogs Registration and Control Act were reviewed. Quantitative data from 2008-2012 on registration, vaccinations, number of dog complaints filed and outcome of dog captures. Retrospective, oneon-one interviews with 14 stakeholders from three groups identified as being directly associated with the stray dog prevention
and control were performed.
Results: The Grenada Dogs Registration and Control Act provided an adequate framework for stray dog control. There was a decrease in the number of dogs registered and vaccinated and a steady increase in dogs captured and related complaints. Interview data suggested that community education, dog ownership, non-governmental organization involvement, and Grenada’s Stray Dog Control Program (SDCP) responsibility are needed to strengthen stray dog control programs and
disease prevention.
Discussion: Expansion of SDCP services is needed to reduce free-roaming dogs and disease risk to humans. A positive response from program users suggested that the SDCP is well-received by the community. Integration among stakeholders and increased access to the program's services in rural communities is needed. These findings have implication for further policy development to reduce global health risks associated with zoonotic diseases found in stray dogs.

An examination of feral cats control techniques for the protection of critically endangered species

Leo, B. T. (2016). An examination of predator control techniques for the protection of critically endangered species (Doctoral dissertation).

Feral cats (Felis catus) have been shown to be a main contributor to species decline throughout the world and are especially threatening to insular species that lack adequate defense characteristics. Feral cat control programs have been implemented on islands throughout the world with varied success. Many islands present unique limitations and therefore require custom control strategies. Furthermore, the adaptive nature of feral cat populations makes it difficult to predict space use and the effect of control on population size. To mitigate the impact of feral cats on threatened species, space use data are commonly used to design control strategies. With the use of GPS data logging collars, chapter two describes daily space use and home ranges of feral cats that threaten an endangered species on Rota Island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Using 100% Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP), average adult male home range was 1.32 km² and average adult female home range was 0.22 km². Home ranges were deemed fully revealed if asymptotes were reached using incremental analysis. A Michaelis-Menten model was applied to predict home ranges of cats with datasets that did not show convergence. The ability of the model to estimate home ranges of cats with limited location datasets was evaluated by comparing predictions derived from truncations of the full time series of complete datasets. Findings suggest that cat management on Rota should be multifaceted in order to maximize the protection of endangered species and that the Michaelis-Menten model is a useful tool for home range analysis. Chapter three examines the Rota hunting strategy to determine its impacts on the population. A discrete form of the Schaefer model was applied to a 29-month time series of control data. A likelihood framework was used to determine maximum likelihood parameter estimates and calculate population projections to compare control strategies. Model results suggest that the hunting strategy on Rota was effective at initially reducing the cat population, however an unfeasible amount of effort would be required to maintain such a rate of decline. Findings show that it is feasible to maintain cat abundance at lower levels and suggest that a concentrated-effort strategy is preferable to a fixed-effort strategy. While more complex population model forms are available, the Schaefer model is well suited for assessing the impacts of limited predator control programs, such as the one conducted on Rota Island.

Controling cat predation by making their preys poisonous

Read, J. L., Peacock, D., Wayne, A. F., & Moseby, K. E. (2016). Toxic Trojans: can feral cat predation be mitigated by making their prey poisonous?. Wildlife Research.

Predation, along with competition and disease transmission from feral domestic cats (Felis catus), poses the key threat to many in situ and reintroduced populations of threatened species globally. Feral cats are more challenging to control than pest canids because cats seldom consume poison baits or enter baited traps when live prey are readily available. Novel strategies for sustainably protecting threatened wildlife from feral cats are urgently required. Emerging evidence suggests that once they have successfully killed a challenging species, individual feral cats can systematically eradicate threatened prey populations. Here we propose to exploit this selective predation through three targeted strategies to improve the efficacy of feral cat control. Toxic collars and toxic implants, fitted or inserted during monitoring or reintroduction programs for threatened species, could poison the offending cat before it can effect multiple kills of the target species. A third strategy is informed by evidence that consumption of prey species that are relatively tolerant to natural plant toxins, can be lethal to more sensitive cats. Within key habitats of wildlife species susceptible to cat predation, we advocate increasing the accessibility of these toxins in the food chain, provided negative risks can be mediated. Deliberate poisoning using live and unaffected ‘toxic Trojan prey’ enables ethical feral cat management that takes advantage of cats’ physiological and behavioural predilection for hunting live prey while minimising risks to many non-targets, compared with conventional baiting.

Defining priorities for dog population management through mathematical modeling

Baquero, O. S., Akamine, L. A., Amaku, M., & Ferreira, F. (2015). Defining priorities for dog population management through mathematical modeling. Preventive veterinary medicine.

We simulated dog population dynamics for a thirty-years period using a logistic growth model. Through sensitivity analyses, we determined the influence of the parameters used in the model. Carrying capacity was the most influential parameter in all simulations. In the owned-dog population, the influence of immigration, abandonment and births was 19%, 16% and 6% of the influence of the carrying capacity, respectively. In the sterilized owned-dog population, the influence of abandonment, female and male sterilization was 37%, 30% and 27% of the influence of the carrying capacity. In the stray population, the influence of abandonment, carrying capacity of the owned-dog population and adoption was 10%, 9% and 6% of the influence of the carrying capacity. In the sterilized stray population, the influence of births, female sterilization and male sterilization was 45%, 15% and 13% of the influence of the carrying capacity. Other parameters had lower influence values. Modification of the carrying capacity requires different interventions for the owned- and stray-dog populations. Dog trade control is a way to reduce immigration. The evaluation of sterilization effects must focus on the variations in the infertile population fraction. Adoption may improve the effects of the reduction in carrying capacity on the stray-dog population.

Alien predator control to benefit endangered Hawaiian waterfowl

Underwood, J. G., Silbernagle, M., Nishimoto, M., & Uyehara, K. J. 2014. Non-native Mammalian Predator Control to Benefit Endangered Hawaiian Waterbirds. Proc. 26th Vertebr. Pest Conf. (R. M. Timm and J. M. O’Brien, Eds.) Published at Univ. of Calif., Davis. 2014. Pp. 32-39.

Hawai‘i’s wetlands are inhabited by 5 endangered endemic waterbird species: the Hawaiian stilt (ae‘o), Hawaiian coot (‘alae ke‘oke‘o), Hawaiian duck (koloa maoli), Hawaiian goose (nēnē), and Hawaiian gallinule/Moorhen (‘alae ‘ula). One of the biggest threats facing these waterbirds is predation by non-native mammalian predators. Non-native cats, rats, and mongooses all directly depredate either eggs, young, or adult birds. Control of these predators is a key component of the active management strategy employed to recover Hawaiian waterbirds. Predator control efforts have included live or kill traps, rodenticide bait stations, and fences in areas important for the waterbirds. To evaluate the success of these predator control efforts on key wetland national wildlife refuges in Hawai‘i, we explored 4 metrics: live trap capture history, rodent and mongoose presence/absence using track tunnels, waterbird population densities, and waterbird reproductive success. The track tunnel data documented lower predator density within the predator control areas. The live trapping capture history data showed strong spatial patterns of higher success along perimeter fence lines and limited success within the interior of the wetlands. We also found that areas receiving predator control had both higher reproductive success and, in most cases, greater waterbird population densities. These findings support mammalian predator control as a key management strategy to promote recovery of these endangered species.

A call for predator profiling in wildlife protection programs

Moseby, K. E., Peacock, D. E., & Read, J. L. (2015). Catastrophic cat predation: A call for predator profiling in wildlife protection programs. Biological Conservation, 191, 331-340.

Introduced predators have been implicated in the decline of many fauna populations around the world and are the main factor responsible for the failure of numerous fauna reintroduction programs. As a result, control of introduced predators is a significant management action implemented in wildlife protection programs, particularly in Australia, New Zealand and on islands. Individual predators are seldom targeted in conservation programs, which usually conduct broad-scale, non-specific predator control based on the assumption that the removal of each individual predator is equally important. In contrast, predator management programs initiated by human–wildlife conflict typically use profiling or specific control techniques to target ‘problem’ predators.


We investigated whether individual domestic cats vary in the magnitude of their predation threat to wildlife by first reviewing published and anecdotal information on incidences where feral cats have had significant impacts on wildlife protection or translocation programs. We concentrated on prey species that were likely to be more challenging to cats based on their size, novelty or behavior. We then used the results from this review to create a profile of cats that were most likely to cause significant problems for challenging prey, and tested this during a translocation of a threatened mammal species. Both the review and translocation suggested that large male cats 3.5 kg or heavier were disproportionally responsible for predation events on challenging prey and possibly implicated in the failure of many protection or reintroduction programs of mammals greater than 1 kg. Some cats within this demographic profile were responsible for multiple prey deaths suggesting that both demography and prior experience may define predators capable of ‘catastrophic predation’ that threatens prey populations.

Current control programs for feral cats and foxes that do not target particular predator profiles may inadvertently avoid controlling individuals most likely to specialize on threatened prey. We call for the application of crime-fighting forensic and aggregate profiling techniques in wildlife protection programs to determine the profile of predators likely to prey on focal wildlife species and to guide the development of control methods that specifically target these individuals.

Different cat diet between islands

Bonnaud, E., Palmas, P., Bourgeois, K., Ollier, S., Zarzoso-Lacoste, D., & Vidal, E. (2015). Island specificities matter: cat diet differs significantly between islands of a major breeding archipelago for a vulnerable endemic seabird. Biological Invasions, 1-15.

Domestic cats are one of the most widespread predators on islands worldwide and are responsible for numerous reductions and extinctions of species on islands. The three main islands of the Hyères Archipelago house one of the largest colonies of the Mediterranean endemic Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus yelkouan that has recently been up-listed by the IUCN to ‘vulnerable’. The main objectives of this study were to assess the diet of cats and to study the effect of cat predation on Yelkouan shearwater populations at the archipelago scale. The diet of cats was studied using scat analyses according to years and seasons for each island. Simultaneously, Yelkouan shearwater breeding success was monitored during a period of 8 years on Port-Cros and Porquerolles, and 3 years on Le Levant. Descriptive analyses and GLM were used to compare data gathered on each island. At the archipelago scale, cats preyed strongly upon introduced mammals and shearwaters. Surprisingly, large differences appeared in cats’ diet according to the island considered. The Yelkouan shearwater was the primary prey of cats on Le Levant, but secondary on Port-Cros and Porquerolles. Cat predation was mainly concentrated during the shearwater prospecting period, when birds arrive at the colonies and look for a mate (if they are not already paired) and a burrow before breeding. Consequently cat impact was low on shearwater breeding success. However, this study demonstrates that the cat management conducted on Port-Cros was positive for fledging success. The successful cat eradication on Port-Cros supports the need to continue working for Yelkouan shearwater conservation with Le Levant as a priority, because this is where the colonies are largest and predation on Yelkouan shearwaters is very high.

Interactions between invasive predators and other ecological disturbances

Doherty, T. S., Dickman, C. R., Nimmo, D. G., & Ritchie, E. G. (2015). Multiple threats, or multiplying the threats? Interactions between invasive predators and other ecological disturbances. Biological Conservation, 190, 60-68.

Invasive species have reshaped the composition of biomes across the globe, and considerable cost is now associated with minimising their ecological, social and economic impacts. Mammalian predators are among the most damaging invaders, having caused numerous species extinctions. Here, we review evidence of interactions between invasive predators and six key threats that together have strong potential to influence both the impacts of the predators, and their management. We show that impacts of invasive predators can be classified as either functional or numerical, and that they interact with other threats through both habitat- and community-mediated pathways. Ecosystem context and invasive predator identity are central in shaping variability in these relationships and their outcomes. Greater recognition of the ecological complexities between major processes that threaten biodiversity, including changing spatial and temporal relationships among species, is required to both advance ecological theory and improve conservation actions and outcomes. We discuss how novel approaches to conservation management can be used to address interactions between threatening processes and ameliorate invasive predator impacts.

Six key disturbances that interact with invasive predators, clockwise from top left: fire, altered prey populations, top-predator declines, resource subsidies, land clearing, and grazing by large herbivores. Clockwise from top left: CSIRO (CC BY 3.0); CSIRO (CC BY 3.0), T Doherty; T Doherty; endymion120 (Flickr, CC BY 2.0); USDA (public domain).

Stray Dog Control and Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Grenada

Bidaisee, S. (2015). Stray Dog Control and Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Grenada. In 143rd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (October 31-November 4, 2015). APHA.

Introduction: Grenada, a small island in the Eastern Caribbean, is home to a significant population of stray dogs. Stray dogs pose a serious public health risk, as they are associated with an increased prevalence of zoonotic disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate Grenada’s stray dog control practices.

Methodology: Mixed methods approach utilizing secondaty quantitative data analysis of available data on registration/vaccination rates, number of dogs captured and outcome of dog captures for the years 2008-2012 and qualitative enquiry utilizing Interviews with agencies involved with dog population control. A document review was also conducted to compared for similarities and differences between the ‘Dogs (Registration and Control)’ Act 24 found in Laws of Grenada 2002 and World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE) ‘Guidelines on stray dog population control.

Results: There was a decrease in the number of dogs registered/vaccinated between 2008 and 2012. Meanwhile there was an increase in both dogs captured and dog related complaints. The majority of dogs captured by the SDCP control officers were euthanized, while a small number were adopted out from the SDCP facility or from the GSPCA kennel, some were returned to the owner, and a small number died while held in the SDCP facility. Interview data recommended that integration among stakeholders and increased access to the program's services in rural communities is needed. Documents demonstrated that the legislative Act provided adequate framework for stray dog control

Conclusion: Expansion of Stray Dog Control Program services is needed to reduce free-roaming dogs in public places and disease risk to humans.

Response of feral cats to a track‐based baiting programme

Doherty, T. S., & Algar, D. (2015). Response of feral cats to a track‐based baiting programme using Eradicat® baits. Ecological Management & Restoration, 16(2), 124-130.

The feral Cat (Felis catus) is a significant threat to Australian fauna, and reducing their impacts is considered an essential action for threatened species conservation. Poison baiting is increasingly being used for the broad scale control of feral cats. In this study, we measured the population response of feral cats to a track-based baiting programme using Eradicat® baits in the semi-arid northern wheatbelt region of Western Australia. Over two years, 1500 baits were laid once annually and the response of feral cats was measured using remote cameras in a before–after, control–impact design. There was a significant reduction in feral cat activity in the second year, but not the first. During bait uptake trials, corvids removed the most number of baits, followed by cats and varanids. The lack of a response to baiting in the first year may be due to existing low cat numbers in the baited area and/or the timing of the baiting. We provide a list of key recommendations to help inform future cat baiting programmes and research.

Potential biological control of cats in Australia

Moodie, E. (1995). The potential for biological control of feral cats in Australia. New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.


There is a need to clarify the impacts of feral cats on wildlife populations and thus set clear objectives for their control.

No method of biological control is available for immediate use. Fertility control using a contraceptive vaccine is the option with the most promise. This approach and two other broad strategies (a mortality approach usint lethal disease and environmental manipulation) are discussed in detail.

Although Feline Parvovirus has been used in attempts to control feral cats elsewhere, animal welfare concerns and probable immunity are likely to prevent its use in mainland Australia. No other feline diseases would cause rapid death in a relatively humane manner to a large enough proportion of a cat population to be useful for biological control.

The diseases and ecology (including population dynamics, reproduction and behaviour) of cats, and community attitudes to their control are discussed in depth. Relatively little information was available on feral cats. Most is derived from studies of domestic cats. Research currently underway is described. More information is needed on the ecology and epidemiology of diseases in feral cat populations in order to develop predictive models for specific biological control agents. Serological surveys for viral diseases in feral populations are given nights priority.

A fertility control approach using an immunocontraceptive vaccine probably has a reasonable chance of success in relation to public acceptability if the technical hurdles can be overcome. These include ensuring that the vaccine is cat specific, that it induces sterility without affecting social behaviour and that it's effects last long enough to be worthwhile. No effective chemical sterilants are available.

Results of research programs on immunocontraception of rabbits and foxes should indicate whether it is a feasible option for vertebrate pest control. Non-transmissible agents are more likely to be publicly acceptable because of concerns over the safety or other species and pet cats.

Attributes of successful pest control programs (for cats and other vertebrate pest species) are discussed. Refinement and combined use of conventional control methods will be essential for future cat control whether of not biological control is used.

Feral cat control needs a national approach, says Threatened Species Commissioner

abc.net.au

A new national approach and co-ordinated effort is needed to control feral cats, according to the Federal Government.

Threatened Species Commissioner Gregory Andrews wants feedback on how to deal with the explosion of cats, saying they are a "huge problem" in Australia.

"Australia is home to around 20 million feral cats, according to the latest scientific information. That's not home cats or stray cats, that's feral cats living in the bush," he said.

A feral cat carrying a rare brush‐tailed phascogale in the
Jarrah forest in SW Western Australia.(Marika Maxwell)

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Unwanted and unexpected results of low-intensity feral cat culling

Lazenby, B. T., Mooney, N. J., & Dickman, C. R. (2015). Effects of low-level culling of feral cats in open populations: a case study from the forests of southern Tasmania. Wildlife Research, 41(5), 407-420.
Context: Feral cats (Felis catus) threaten biodiversity in many parts of the world, including Australia. Low-level culling is often used to reduce their impact, but in open cat populations the effectiveness of culling is uncertain. This is partly because options for assessing this management action have been restricted to estimating cat activity rather than abundance.

Aims: We measured the response, including relative abundance, of feral cats to a 13-month pulse of low-level culling in two open sites in southern Tasmania.

Methods: To do this we used remote cameras and our analysis included identification of individual feral cats. We compared estimates of relative abundance obtained via capture–mark–recapture and minimum numbers known to be alive, and estimates of activity obtained using probability of detection and general index methods, pre- and post-culling. We also compared trends in cat activity and abundance over the same time period at two further sites where culling was not conducted.

Key results: Contrary to expectation, the relative abundance and activity of feral cats increased in the cull-sites, even though the numbers of cats captured per unit effort during the culling period declined. Increases in minimum numbers of cats known to be alive ranged from 75% to 211% during the culling period, compared with pre- and post-cull estimates, and probably occurred due to influxes of new individuals after dominant resident cats were removed.

Conclusions: Our results showed that low-level ad hoc culling of feral cats can have unwanted and unexpected outcomes, and confirmed the importance of monitoring if such management actions are implemented.

Implications: If culling is used to reduce cat impacts in open populations, it should be as part of a multi-faceted approach and may need to be strategic, systematic and ongoing if it is to be effective.

Alien predator and monitoring program at Ramsar sites in Australia

Robley, A. (2014) Hattah–Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Protection Project: predator control and monitoring program. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 258. Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Heidelberg, Victoria.

The Hattah–Kulkyne Lakes Predator Management Strategy forms part of the larger Mallee Catchment Management Authority (MCMA) ‘Building Reconnected, Resilient Landscapes and
Communities across the Murray Mallee’ program to be delivered 2013–2018. Within the broader
program are a series of subprojects, with one specifically addressing the issue of systematically
and strategically reducing pest plant and animal infestations in order to protect key ecological
attributes of the Hattah–Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar site.
In order to achieve this the Mallee Catchment Management Authority engaged the Arthur Rylah
Research Institute (ARI) of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries to prepare a
Predator Management Strategy.
The Predator Management Strategy identifies a range of control techniques for Red Foxes (Vulpes
vulpes), with an appraisal of the predicted benefits and limitations of the various techniques. The
strategy also discusses the potential for innovative control techniques to be employed within the
site.
In order to accurately determine whether the predator control program is meeting its objectives, a
monitoring program must measure the responses of both predator populations (i.e. operational
monitoring) and prey populations (i.e. performance monitoring).
The recommended fox control strategy is a two-stage approach. Stage one is the initial knockdown
of the local fox population, and stage two is the sustained management of the lowered fox
population. To assess the effectiveness of the initial knockdown, the strategy recommends a
before-and-after poison baiting comparison in a proportion of the area occupied by foxes. This
approach will also be implemented for the longer-term monitoring of the fox population.
Suggested approaches to monitoring are provided for the monitoring of waterbirds and reptiles
(including freshwater turtles), which are likely to increase in abundance following control of foxes
to low abundance. A detailed monitoring and evaluation plan will be developed to assess the
performance of the fox control program under a separate project.
Increasing water flows into the Hattah–Kulkyne Lake system is likely to result in increased
European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)abundance, with increased and sustained vegetation
growth through spring and early summer. With fox control, and thus reduced predation on rabbits,
it is expected that rabbit densities will increase in the Hattah–Kulkyne Lakes study area, with the
potential for subsequent increases in feral cat (Felis catus) populations. It is recommended that a
rabbit control operation be implemented to complement the fox control program.
As there is no legal definition for ‘feral cats’ in Victoria, and no legal large-scale cost-effective
control tools, the strategy recommends the collection of information on the impact that feral cats
are having in the Lakes system so as to inform the use of broad-scale management programs in the
future.

A review of four successful recovery programmes for threatened sub-tropical petrels

Carlile, N., Priddel, D., Zino, F., Natividad, C., & Wingate, D. B. (2003). A review of four successful recovery programmes for threatened sub-tropical petrels. Mar. Ornithol, 31, 185-192.

Recovery programmes have significantly increased the population sizes of four threatened sub-tropical petrels: Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira, Bermuda Petrel P. cahow, Gould’s Petrel P. leucoptera leucoptera and Hawaiian Petrel P. sandwichensis. These recovery programmes were reviewed to examine i) past and present nesting habitat; ii) the nature and commonality of threats; iii) the recovery actions undertaken; iv) the conservation gains; and v) the factors most responsible for these gains. The most significant causes of past population decline were exploitation by humans for food, loss of nesting habitat and the introduction of alien mammals. Primary contemporary threats are predation and disturbance at the breeding grounds by both alien and indigenous species. Current relict populations have restricted distributions and are often confined to nesting habitats that are severely degraded or sub-optimal and dissimilar from those known historically. The crucial attribute of these habitats is the absence or low density of alien predators. The most beneficial recovery actions involved the control or eradication of predators at breeding grounds and the provision of safe artificial nest sites. Recovery actions were more difficult to implement for species on large islands. The success of each recovery programme was due largely to concerted action spanning several decades.

The Challenges of Feral Cat Management

Hendrickson, J.L. 2014 The Challenges of Feral Cat Management: A Case Study on Population Control Methods. School of Education. Paper 51.

This project examines the impact of feral cats through a study of positive and negative effects on the environment, our communities, and people; while looking into the variety of population control methods being used. The research was accomplished with the use of a questionnaire designed to determine what population control methods are currently being used and what are the biggest concerns in regards to feral cats in the Minneapolis-St Paul area. This Capstone challenges the argument that there is only one solution to control feral cat populations and research shows more collaborative work should be done in order to see a significant change in feral cat populations.

The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats

Vantassel, S. 2013. The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. Lulu. com.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), the domestic house cat (Felis catus) is the most popular pet in the US by total numbered owned (86.4 million). Dogs, which came in second at 76.2 million, are owned by more households (46.3 million own dogs, and 38.9 million own cats) ...