I was very impressed by the report tabled at Parliament re the subject of the impact on our native animals by feral cats, and by our domestic cats. At the media launch it was a very sobering thought to hear that more native animals are lost to cats every year in Australia than were lost in the bushfires of the summer of 2019 – 20.
Everyone around the world was devastated by the loss of wildlife in the terrible bushfires. Support in the form of money, equipment and supplies rolled in from incredibly caring and generous people. Can we still ignore the fact that cats annually account for more Australian wildlife deaths than the worst bushfires in our history? It is up to Australia to attack this issue now.
As Chair of the House of Representatives Environment and Energy Committee, Ted O’Brien MP tackled a sensitive issue that most politicians either avoid because they don’t see it as an major problem, or they choose to ignore a subject which can become quite emotive, and may cost them votes. Realistically, if something isn’t done, and fast, so many of our Australian native species will become extinct. Culling of cats weighed up against the extinction of native species? Not a pleasant decision to have to make, but necessary.
A copy of the Committee’s full report can be found on the inquiry website at: www.aph.gov.au/feralanddomesticcats The statistics are just tragic. It was brought home to me while watching Quoll Farm on the ABC. How heartbreaking to see one of those exquisite animals killed by a feral cat.
These fascinating little creatures were on their way to extinction until the breeding and release program was initiated on the mainland in 2018. Prior to this it was over 50 years since eastern quolls were seen on the mainland. Part of our fragile ecosystem, these small quolls eat insects, mice and rats. They were very entertaining to watch in their moth hunting escapades on the ABC television program.
We can’t realistically fence all of Australia. Besides creating safe havens, we also have to eradicate feral animals from the Australian landscape. Domestic cat owners also have to educate themselves on responsible pet ownership. With over 3 million domestic cats in Australia, if these animals aren’t kept inside or in cat aviaries, it leads to an enormous amount of dead native animals.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au