Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00220:reg:1:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017C00220
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1 (pt 8/9)
Character Range: 23774–26582

traps can also be used for trapping stray and domestic cats around rubbish dumps and in nature reserves close to urban development. To successfully trap feral cats, the lure or attractant chosen is important, with individual feral cats preferring different styles of lure or may not be attracted by lures.  There are other control methods in development, such as automated grooming traps, that are not dependent on a lure. Like shooting, trapping as a control method requires skilled operators, is usually expensive, labour intensive and time consuming, and is only recommended on a small scale or where eradication within an area safe from further immigration (e.g. an island or fenced area) is the objective.
Baiting for feral cats is a broad-scale technique that has potential to reduce feral cat populations over larger areas. However, feral cats prefer live prey and will only take carrion (baits) when other resources are scarce (Christensen et al. 2012). The baits must also be laid on the surface as feral cats, unlike wild dogs/dingoes or European red foxes will not dig up a bait. The Eradicat® bait is injected with 1080 and may be used in Western Australia. This bait is effective when applied strategically to target the feral cats when they are hungry (Christensen et al. 2012; Algar et al. 2013). A second type of bait, Curiosity®, with the toxin PAPP (para-aminopropriophenone) has the toxin encapsulated in a hard plastic pellet. Curiosity® bait is designed for use where there are non-target species that would be placed at risk by the Eradicat® bait and is anticipated to be available for use during the life of this threat abatement plan (Hetherington 2007; Johnston et al. 2012; Johnston et al 2014). The PAPP toxin also has the benefit of a greater level of humaneness than 1080 toxin, but does have different non-target species risks.  Research and development is ongoing into other baits, such as Hisstory (using encapsulated 1080), to ensure the availability of this control technique across all of Australia.
Predator-proof or exclusion fencing is used as an effective management technique for small populations of threatened species vulnerable to terrestrial predators, such as feral cats, European red foxes and wild dogs (Hayward et al. 2014; Robley et al. 2007). To minimise the risk of breaches to the fence integrated baiting, trapping and shooting in the area surrounding the fence may be needed to reduce the frequency of challenge to the fence by predators. Fencing also affects the movement of other wildlife, preventing their dispersal and interbreeding with other populations. Fencing is expensive and requires ongoing maintenance to ensure its predator-proof integrity.
Interactions between pest species mean that control of feral cats can have flow-on effects on other