Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747:reg:4:p52
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01747
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 52/80)
Character Range: 183810–186906

use, toxic baiting programs should be justified based on the expected conservation benefit and a thorough assessment of risks. Programs should be accompanied by robust monitoring to quantify the potential non-target impacts, to confirm that reductions in feral cat density are occurring, and that these are translating to measurable benefits for native species. In addition, data from across projects should be nationally collated to facilitate information-sharing, including incorporation into formal analysis of the effectiveness of different management approaches (see Objective 2). These steps will help maintain public support and confidence that control programs using poison baits to control feral cats are justified and appropriately regulated.

Refer to section 6.2 of the background document for further information and referenced sources.

Other toxin delivery systems

Alternative ways of delivering toxin to feral cats may increase target specificity and reduce the opportunity for learned avoidance or inherited bait shyness. These include Felixer™ grooming traps (that squirt a toxin onto a feral cat when it moves past a sensor), toxic implants (in prey) and toxic collars (useful for targeting particular individual feral cats responsible for disproportionate predation). Alternative toxin presentations are at various stages of development, with further trials required to refine their use, and to inform their regulatory controls.

Refer to section 6.3 of the background document for further information and referenced sources.

Trapping, shooting and tracking

Trapping, shooting and tracking can be useful feral cat control options for small areas, and when control effort can be maintained fairly intensively over time. Cage trapping, shooting and tracking are the most feasible direct feral cat control options for many land managers, including First Nations ranger groups, as they require less training or have more navigable regulatory frameworks than other options. They may be especially effective when integrated with other control options, such as toxic baiting.

Soft-jaw traps can outperform cage traps, but non-target impacts can be an issue, extra training is required, and they are not legal for use in all jurisdictions (Appendix 5). Novel trap monitoring systems in trapping programs are now being applied to cage and soft-jaw traps; these systems enhance efficiency and improve welfare outcomes for trapped cats.

Shooting can be substantially enhanced by using thermal imagery (via scopes, binoculars, or potentially drone-mounted) or through use of trained detection/scenting dogs to locate feral cats. Shooting is used by some rural landholders, agencies and recreational shooters for reducing feral cat density; however, often the benefits are limited or unclear, because the shooting is often not intensive nor sustained, and because there is rarely any monitoring of outcomes attached to the activity. There are therefore opportunities to better harness the interest and skills of recreational shooters and landholders to control feral cats effectively,