Partnership targets unidentified cats

An issue that has become an increasing problem over the past 10 years, it was one raised by the community to members of the Marree-Innamincka Landscape Group and the Outback Communities Authority.

In response, the Outback Communities Authority partnered with the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board to begin a control program earlier this year.

Veterinary student Megan Pickering from the University of Adelaide visited the town in April to undertake vet checks and provide a microchipping service. Owners presented four cats to be microchipped and were encouraged to keep their cats inside, particularly at night. Megan also provided health checks for cats and dogs.

Further conversations outside of the clinic informed community members of the program and a classroom education session was provided for students at Marree Aboriginal School.

All cats pose a danger to native wildlife and predate upon birds, rodents and small reptiles, with strays and feral cats also posing a health risk to humans through the spreading of parasites and viruses

A trapping exercise was held over two nights in late May, with 30 unidentified cats removed from the town. The 60 traps set over the two nights produced a 27 per cent trapping rate on the first night, and a 20 per cent trapping rate on the second, which was extremely high given most traps were set in a 1km radius of the town. An average trapping rate of feral cats in a wild environment is about four per cent.

The high trapping rate resulted in a recommendation that a further trapping program is continued in the town to effectively reduce numbers.

The results of this exercise and future programs will be used to assess the effectiveness of threat management activities in remote townships. Population trend data is important to evaluate the potential for long term success and the need for specific unidentified cat management actions.

The initial success of the Marree program has opened discussions on expanding the program to other townships in the unincorporated areas of South Australia.

OCA director Marg Howard said the Outback Communities Authority was very pleased to be partnering with the South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board to tackle the issue of unowned cats in the Marree township.

“We’ve taken a very respectful approach to the interests of genuine cat owners, while simultaneously addressing the very concerning problem of increasing unidentified cat populations that have such a devastating impact on the environment,” she said.

“The response to this initiative from the Marree community has been very positive, and we know that there are many other communities across Outback SA who will appreciate this program.”

The trapping exercise was undertaken with support from Flinders Feral Animal Control.