Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p68
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 68/80)
Character Range: 252556–255575

of prey-switching to native species by cats, because the sudden increase in predation can cause rapid population declines in those native species, until the cat population re-stabilises at a lower level. For example, short-term feral cat control could be undertaken to coincide with the knock-down of introduced prey, to minimise the impact of prey-switching while also taking advantage of the greater susceptibility of (hungry) cats to control methods like baiting. Management that controls rabbits and introduced rodents also has many other benefits to threatened species, conservation, agricultural productivity and other values. Where irruptions in native species are supporting increased cat populations, feral cat control is likely to be most effective when prey populations begin to decline.

Managing predator interactions – dingoes

If, to what extent and in what circumstances dingoes control mesopredators (such as feral cats) and / or moderate their impacts is still unresolved. For example, the reduction or loss from ecosystems of apex predators, like dingoes, may trigger a cascade of changes, including higher kangaroo density, changes to vegetation, and lower abundances of small mammals (i.e. the prey of cats). Dingoes kill cats; it is possible that in some circumstances dingoes reduce cat density, or at least alter cat behaviour in ways that shift which native species are bearing the cat's predation pressure. Dingoes may possibly exert control over mesopredators, in some biomes more than others, and their interactions may be affected by prey densities, their own densities, and the occurrence and density of the mesopredators (foxes, feral cats).

Accordingly, this plan includes a research action that seeks to improve our understanding of predator interactions, and what cascade of changes might occur in an ecosystem as a result of different dingo population scenarios, across multiple biomes.

In regions where dingoes are extant and uncontrolled, feral cat management should avoid preferencing control options that also kill dingoes or should use the tools in ways that reduce risk to dingoes. There may be circumstances where a well-designed program that includes monitoring can demonstrate that removing both predators does not result in unintended or unwanted consequences. Feral cat control programs that also include other predators must give consideration to the wishes of the local Traditional Owners in relation to dingoes given the high cultural significance of this species.

Managing predator interactions - Tasmanian devils

There is some evidence that the recent rapid and severe decline of Tasmanian devils has produced cascading ecological impacts including increases in the activity of feral cats and consequent reduced activity of some native animal species (including threatened species). Based on these observations, there have been some proposals to reintroduce devils to selected sites on the Australian mainland, noting that devils were widespread on the mainland up