Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p55
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 55/80)
Character Range: 192076–198053

revealed shifts in morphology and behaviour of some wildlife species, consistent with improvement in predator avoidance capability. However, it is unclear how far such predator recognition and avoidance can be pushed in these native species, especially given the reduced genetic diversity caused by the substantial population loss in recent times. In the meantime, controlled exposure to cats may have value in ongoing management of native species within cat-free havens, given the speed with which predator recognition and avoidance behaviour can be lost.

This objective aligns with Target 19 in the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032: 'At least 5 new tools are developed to mitigate the impact of broad-scale threats on threatened species'.

Refer to section 6.8 of the background document for further information and referenced sources.

     Performance Criteria

      Table 8 Objective 4. Performance Criteria

Objective 4. Performance criteria                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Evaluate progress
SUPPORT MANAGEMENT/ ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE - Control options are available, and their use is optimised such that feral cats can be more effectively suppressed in any Australian landscape and region
Toxic baits (Eradicat®, Curiosity®, Hisstory®) and alternative toxin presentations (e.g. Felixer™) are registered and available for use in parts of Australia where their use is justified based on the biodiversity benefit, overall humaneness (to cats, non-target animals, and the prey that cats may kill) and sustainability.  2029 and 2034
The biodiversity benefits, and attendant risks, of shooting, trapping, and tracking for controlling feral cats, in different contexts (environments, climate conditions, predator and prey assemblages), are better quantified.                                                                                                      2029 and 2034
The use of guardian dogs to repel cats from sites supporting populations of cat-susceptible species has been trialled and evaluated.                                                                                                                                                                                                 2029
The potential to develop synthetic biology (e.g. immunocontraception, gene drives) to reduce populations of feral cats is explored.                                                                                                                                                                                                  2029 and 2034
Improved understanding of the extent to which cat recognition and avoidance by native prey species can be encouraged via managed selection.                                                                                                                                                                                          2029 and 2034

     Actions

      Table 9 Objective 4. Actions

Objective 4. Refine the use of existing tools for directly controlling feral cats, and develop new tools  Relative priority                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Cost       Responsibility                       Timelines
Support management/Enhance knowledge
Toxins
4.1                                                                                                       Improve the use of toxins:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      High       Medium                               CISS; NESP RL Hub; state and territory governments                                               Starting immediately
                                                                                                              * Carry out meta-analysis of efficacy data from existing and new field trials of toxic baits, including environmental impacts, and use to sharpen protocols.
                                                                                                              * Improve understanding of non-target impacts and ways to minimise these.
                                                                                                              * Improve understanding of broad-scale environmental impacts of the 2 toxins used for feral cats, 1080 and PAPP (Para-aminopropiophenone).
                                                                                                              * Continue trials of toxic implants (in prey) and toxic collars (for prey and for sentinel cats), and determine when these approaches are most effective.
                                                                                                              * Refine formulations to produce baits