Download Feral Cats - Parliament of Tasmania

 Hansard of the Legislative Council Question raised by Ivan Dean MLC 30‐11‐2011 ‐ Feral Cats QUESTA INDEX
QUESTION ON NOTICE
Chamber:
COUNCIL
Date:
30/11/2011
Page:
1
No.:
68
Subject:
FERAL CATS
Member:
DEAN, IVAN
Respondent:
PARKINSON, DOUG
Portfolio:
LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Fulltext:
68. FERAL CATS
Mr DEAN asked a question of the Leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council With regard to the feral cat population in the State (1) What is the estimated number of feral cats in the State?
(2) What is the impact of feral cats on Tasmania's native wildlife?
(3) (a) What health risks are posed by feral cats; and
(b) what is being done to minimise such health risks?
(4) (a) Apart from the work done by Tamar Natural Resource Management, is any other work being done in
the State to control feral cats; and
(b) if so, what is the extent of that work?
Mr PARKINSON replied (1) Given their nature, it is very difficult to monitor and assess feral cat populations, especially over large
areas. Density estimates for Australia as a whole range from one feral cat per square kilometre to over six
feral cats per square kilometre. Tasmania has a self-sustaining feral cat population in many rural and remote
areas including in national parks and World Heritage areas.
(2) The national Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats recognises the feral cat as a known
threat to seven nationally threatened species and as a perceived threat to a further 31 nationally threatened
species. The Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats can be viewed on the Internet at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/cats08.html.
The Tasmanian Government is aware of the impact of feral cats on native wildlife and in transmitting
disease. Feral cats may spread diseases such as giardia and toxoplasmosis. Native animals susceptible to
toxoplasmosis include the eastern barred bandicoot, Bennett's wallaby, Tasmanian pademelon, possums,
wombats and native birds.
(3) (a) It is understood that giardia, toxoplasmosis, cat roundworm and the 'zipper' tapeworm pose a human
health risk. There are also health risks to domestic livestock. Toxoplasmosis can cause abortion in sheep.
(b) To minimise human health risks:
· DPIPWE advises people who handle or consume meat from native animals to practise good personal and
kitchen hygiene and to cook meat well to minimise the risks of toxoplasmosis.
· Bushwalkers and others drinking water which has not been treated by a water authority are advised to boil
such water first.
· People working in the bush, on farms or as hunters should also practise good personal hygiene before
eating, smoking or drinking.
· Pregnant women are advised to use gloves while gardening and to avoid handling cat litter.
· To minimise toxoplasmosis producers are advised to prevent cat access to sheep feed.
(4) (a) and (b)
The department has assisted Tamar NRM with its cat management program in the Weymouth-Bellingham
area, and the Resource Management and Conservation Division has worked with the Parks and Wildlife
Service to complete the successful Tasman Island Feral Cat Eradication Program.
A feral cat control program is underway in the Cape Portland/Petal Point/Rushy Lagoon - RAMSAR - area in
collaboration with NRM North and Roaring 40s and has resulted in the removal of 90 feral cats from areas
with high conservation value and high biodiversity.
A recent program on Flinders Island resulted in 385 feral cats being removed. Programs have also been
undertaken on King Island and at Port Sorell and on Bruny Island, mainly around little penguin and tern
colonies.
The department's Wildlife Management Branch has also undertaken research to assist DSE Victoria with the
development of a bait and toxicant for broad-scale feral cat control. This work is supported by the
Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.