Further support for Kangaroo Island feral cat eradication

The federal government is investing an additional $2.7 million to finish the work of eradicating feral cats from the Dudley Peninsula, along with $800,000 from the SA government and philanthropic investments of $370,000 through the Invasive Species Council.

The island’s feral cat eradication project aims to eradicate feral cats by 2030.

Once complete, the Dudley Peninsula will be the largest human inhabited feral cat-free area anywhere in the world.

The eradication will create a permanent safe haven for threatened species like the Kangaroo Island echidna, southern brown bandicoot and the hooded plover, which are all threatened by feral cats.

Through the program, the Dudley Peninsula has been isolated from the rest of the island by a recently upgraded three kilometre cat proof fence at Pelican Lagoon to prevent reinvasion.

Innovative tools being used on the program to control feral cats including a remote monitored landscape-scale trap network, 4G connected AI cameras providing near real time locations, specially trained cat detection dogs, thermal drones and a community “call in a cat” program.

Locals are already seeing more native animals on their properties.

The additional investment of nearly $4 million will remove all remaining feral cats from the Dudley Peninsula and prevent further incursions, protecting the significant biodiversity and agricultural gains already achieved.

This will also boost at-risk species’ resilience to better withstand and recover from future challenges such as the potential spread of H5 avian influenza (bird flu).

Kangaroo Island has a strong track record of eradicating feral animals, having successfully removed feral deer, feral goats and feral pigs.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said; “Sadly, feral cats have contributed to the extinction of more than 20 Australian mammal species, and with Kangaroo Island home to more than 30 threatened species, tackling feral cats is a big part of ensuring those species have a healthy future.

“The KI community has achieved great results in recent years in reducing feral cat numbers, but we’re conscious that without further effort, numbers could rebound.

“That’s why our governments are working together to make sure the teams have what they need to make a lasting impact on KI.

“This $2.7 million federal commitment builds on the Australian Government’s previous investment of more than $7 million since 2020 for projects led by the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board.”

South Australian Minister for Climate, Environment and Water Emily Bourke said; “We are proud to support the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board’s work to protect the Dudley Peninsula’s unique native wildlife, farming businesses and biosecurity.

“The Malinauskas Government delivered our election promise earlier this year to provide $800,000 towards the final stage of this highly successful program.

“This work has already significantly reduced feral cat numbers across the Dudley Peninsula, and we are starting to see the return of native species such as the southern brown bandicoot, which hasn’t been spotted in the region by local residents for more than 60 years.

“Boosting the numbers and resilience of native wildlife is vital, especially with the threat posed by the arrival of H5 bird flu.”

Invasive Species Council chief executive officer Jack Gough this was a nationally significant investment in what would become the largest feral cat eradication ever undertaken on an inhabited island anywhere in the world.

“And it’s fantastic to see philanthropy, the South Australian Government and the Australian Government coming together with the shared ambition to make it happen,” he said.

“Island eradications are among the most effective conservation investments we can make. By permanently removing feral cats, we can secure a future for unique wildlife like the critically endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart, while placing South Australia at the forefront of one of the most significant conservation achievements in our nation’s history.”

“Backing this eradication program is backing the survival of species found nowhere else on Earth, while proving that extinction is not inevitable when governments, communities and philanthropy work together – and decisively.”

Kangaroo Island Landscape Board general manager Will Durack thanked the board’s funding partners, advocates and supporters for backing this nationally significant program.

“Their investment has enabled innovation, while long-term community support has built the trust and social licence needed to deliver eradication at this scale,” Mr Durack said.

“This brings Kangaroo Island closer to creating a permanent safe haven for threatened wildlife on the Dudley Peninsula, while protecting our biodiversity, agriculture and biosecurity.

“I also acknowledge our dedicated team, landholders and community members who have made this work possible.”

Philanthropic donor, chief executive of The Ian Potter Foundation, Paul Conroy said he was delighted to support this globally significant project and to see philanthropy and government working together to ensure the final stages of on-ground delivery could continue.

“Invasive species management on islands is one of the most important conservation initiatives Australia can undertake, and this project sets a benchmark for what can be achieved when local communities play a leading role in delivering an integrated invasive species monitoring and control program,” he said.