An evaluation of two methods of assessing feral cat and dingo abundance in central Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Edwards ◽  
N. D. de Preu ◽  
B. J. Shakeshaft ◽  
I. V. Crealy
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Population Change ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Arid Rangeland

We evaluated the efficacy of spotlight surveys and passive track surveys conducted along roads for assessing the relative abundance of feral cats and dingoes in a semi-arid rangeland environment in central Australia. Track surveys were more time-efficient than spotlight surveys and offered higher precision. We cover a range of issues that need to be considered when using track-based surveys to assess population change. We also discuss the merits of other techniques used to monitor the abundance of mammalian carnivores.

Evidence of significantly higher island feral cat abundance compared with the adjacent mainland

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick L. Taggart ◽  
Bronwyn A. Fancourt ◽  
Andrew J. Bengsen ◽  
David E. Peacock ◽  
Patrick Hodgens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Spatial Model ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Scale Models

Context Feral cats (Felis catus) impact the health and welfare of wildlife, livestock and humans worldwide. They are particularly damaging where they have been introduced into island countries such as Australia and New Zealand, where native prey species evolved without feline predators. Kangaroo Island, in South Australia, is Australia’s third largest island and supports several threatened and endemic species. Cat densities on Kangaroo Island are thought to be greater than those on the adjacent South Australian mainland, based on one cat density estimate on the island that is higher than most estimates from the mainland. The prevalence of cat-borne disease in cats and sheep is also higher on Kangaroo Island than the mainland, suggesting higher cat densities. A recent continental-scale spatial model of cat density predicted that cat density on Kangaroo Island should be about double that of the adjacent mainland. However, although cats are believed to have severe impacts on some native species on the island, other species that are generally considered vulnerable to cat predation have relatively secure populations on the island compared with the mainland. Aims The present study aimed to compare feral cat abundance between Kangaroo Island and the adjacent South Australian mainland using simultaneous standardised methods. Based on previous findings, we predicted that the relative abundance of feral cats on Kangaroo Island would be approximately double that on the South Australian mainland. Methods Standardised camera trap surveys were used to simultaneously estimate the relative abundance of feral cats on Kangaroo Island and the adjacent South Australian mainland. Survey data were analysed using the Royle–Nichols abundance-induced heterogeneity model to estimate feral cat relative abundance at each site. Key results Cat abundance on the island was estimated to be over 10 times greater than that on the adjacent mainland. Conclusions Consistent with predictions, cat abundance on the island was greater than on the adjacent mainland. However, the magnitude of this difference was much greater than expected. Implications The findings show that the actual densities of cats at local sites can vary substantially from predictions generated by continental-scale models. The study also demonstrates the value of estimating abundance or density simultaneously across sites using standardised methods.

Diet of the Feral Cat (Felis catus) in Central Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Paltridge ◽  
David Gibson ◽  
Glenn Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Southern Half ◽  
Central Australia

Feral cats (Felis catus) occur throughout central Australia. In this study, we analysed the stomach contents of 390 feral cats collected between 1990 and 1994 from the southern half of the Northern Territory. Cats fed on a wide variety of invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals, including animals up to their own body mass in size. Mammals were the most important prey but reptiles were regularly eaten in summer and birds were important in winter. Invertebrates were present in the diet in all seasons. Carrion appeared in stomach samples during dry winters only and this has implications for future control of feral cats.

Control of Feral Cats for Nature Conservation. II. Population Reduction by Poisoning

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Short ◽  
Bruce Turner ◽  
Danielle A. Risbey ◽  
Reg Carnamah
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Timing Control ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Track System ◽  
Population Reduction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Semi Arid

A feral cat population was substantially reduced by poisoning at a semi-arid site in Western Australia. The control programme was designed to protect two species of endangered native mammals that had recently been reintroduced to the site. Feral cats were poisoned with carcasses of laboratory mice, each impregnated with 4.5 mg of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080). Baits were placed at 100-m intervals along the track system each night for four consecutive nights. Kill rates were assessed by monitoring survival of radio- collared cats and by spotlight counts of cats before and after baiting. All radio-collared cats were killed and there was a 74% reduction in spotlight counts of cats after baiting. Bait removal varied with the abundance of rabbits, the primary prey item for cats in this area. Effectiveness of control operations against feral cats is maximised by baiting at times of low prey abundance. Monitoring the changing abundance of the primary prey species provides important information for timing control operations against feral cats.

Habitat selection by feral cats and dingoes in a semi-arid woodland environment in central Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Edwards ◽  
N. DE Preu ◽  
I. V. Crealy ◽  
B. J. Shakeshaft
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Semi Arid

Estimating and indexing feral cat population abundances using camera traps

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Bengsen ◽  
John Butler ◽  
Pip Masters
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Gps Tracking ◽  
Range Data ◽  
Population Abundance ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Infrared Cameras

Context The ability to monitor changes in population abundance is critical to the success of pest animal management and research programs. Feral cats (Felis catus) are an important pest animal, but current monitoring techniques have limited sensitivity or are limited in use to particular circumstances or habitats. Recent advances in camera-trapping methods provide the potential to identify individual feral cats, and to use this information to estimate population abundances using capture–mark–recapture (CMR) methods. Aims Here, we use a manipulative study to test whether camera-trapping and CMR methods can be used to estimate feral cat abundances. Methods We established a grid of infrared cameras and lure stations over three pastoral properties on Kangaroo Island, Australia, for 15 days. We then reduced the population abundance with an intensive trapping program and repeated the camera survey. We estimated population abundances using robust design CMR models, and converted abundance estimates to densities using home-range data from GPS tracking. We also calculated relative abundance indices from the same data. Key results The CMR methods produced credible estimates of the change in population abundance, with useful confidence intervals, showing a statistically identifiable population decline from at least 0.7 cats km–2 before trapping down to 0.4 cats km–2 after trapping. The indexing method also showed a statistically identifiable decrease in abundance. Conclusions Camera-trapping and CMR methods can provide a useful method for monitoring changes in the absolute abundance of feral cat populations. Camera-trap data may also be used to produce indices of relative abundance when the assumptions of CMR models cannot be met. Implications These methods are widely applicable. The ability to reliably estimate feral cat abundances allows for more effective management than is generally available.

Long-term impacts of infrequent biosolids applications on chemical and microbial properties of a semi-arid rangeland soil

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarah S. Sullivan ◽  
Mary E. Stromberger ◽  
Mark W. Paschke ◽  
James A. Ippolito
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Properties ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Arid Rangeland

scholarly journals Evaporative Fraction as an Indicator of Moisture Condition and Water Stress Status in Semi-Arid Rangeland Ecosystems

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 6300-6323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Nutini ◽  
Mirco Boschetti ◽  
Gabriele Candiani ◽  
Stefano Bocchi ◽  
Pietro Brivio
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Evaporative Fraction ◽  
Moisture Condition ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Arid Rangeland

Biology of the Feral Cat, Felis Catus (L.), On Macquarie Island.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
NP Brothers ◽  
IJ Skira ◽  
GR Copson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Macquarie Island ◽  
Pregnant Females

246 feral cats were shot on Macquarie Island, Australia, between Dec. 1976 and Feb. 1981. The sex ratio ( males : females ) was 1:0.8. The percentages of animals with tabby, orange and black coats were 74, 26 and 2 resp. [sic]. Of the 64 orange cats, 56 were males . The breeding season was Oct.-Mar., with a peak in Nov.-Dec. The number of embryos in the 14 pregnant females averaged 4.7 (range = 1-9). The size of the 23 litters that were observed averaged 3 (range = 1-8). Kitten survival to 6 months of age was estimated to be <43%.

The relationship between species diversity and functional diversity along aridity gradients in semi-arid rangeland

2021 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 104632
Author(s):  
Guy Dovrat ◽  
Ehud Meron ◽  
Moshe Shachak ◽  
Yosef Moshe ◽  
Yagil Osem
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Arid Rangeland
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document