![]() They have been implicated in the extinction of some Australian native animals and have been a contributing factor in the failure of some endangered species reintroduction programs (such as the numbat and bilby in Western Australia). The environmental impacts of feral cats have been poorly studied, although there is clear evidence that they can have significant impact on isolated wildlife populations, such as on small islands.įeral cats are adept hunters and may pose a threat to the survival of some native species including small mammals, birds and reptiles. View recorded distribution information in PestSmart Connect Toolkit View recorded distribution information in Natural Values Atlas Data on feral cat numbers is difficult to collect and total population estimates for Australia vary from five million up to 18 million. It is known that intentional releases of cats were made in the late 1800s, particularly around farms and homesteads, in the hope that they would control rabbits, rats and mice.ĭistributionFeral cats have been recorded in most habitats in Australia, including many offshore islands. By the 1850s, feral cat populations had been reported in the wild in Australia. Histor圜ats probably first arrived in Australia as pets of European settlers during the 18th century. You would not expect to see a feral cat wandering about during the day.
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