❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister for Environment regarding the Eradicat feral cat bait program in Dryandra Woodland, specifically concerning its impact on numbats. The Minister provides details on trial timelines, findings, and evidence of Eradicat's effectiveness.
AnsweredQoN 349Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN SHIELD FERAL ANIMAL CONTROL PROGRAM —
ERADICAT
349. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the minister's press release today about a
cat bait being used as part of the Western Shield feral animal control program.
(1) On what
date did trials of Eradicat begin in Dryandra Woodland, home to Western
Australia's emblem, the numbat?
(2) What are the preliminary findings from the trial in
Dryandra Woodland?
(3) When will the trial results in Dryandra Woodland be
finalised?
(4) What
evidence is there that Eradicat will be successful at reducing feral cat
numbers in areas such as Dryandra Woodland, where native fauna are present all
year around as an available food source to cats?
ERADICAT
349. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the
minister representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the minister's press release today about a
cat bait being used as part of the Western Shield feral animal control program.
(1) On what
date did trials of Eradicat begin in Dryandra Woodland, home to Western
Australia's emblem, the numbat?
(2) What are the preliminary findings from the trial in
Dryandra Woodland?
(3) When will the trial results in Dryandra Woodland be
finalised?
(4) What
evidence is there that Eradicat will be successful at reducing feral cat
numbers in areas such as Dryandra Woodland, where native fauna are present all
year around as an available food source to cats?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) Research
in Dryandra Woodland using non-toxic Eradicat baits began in March 2011.
Research using toxic Eradicat baits began in May 2012.
(2) Research to
date has focused on non-target animals. Current work in Dryandra Woodland is
looking at the best baiting strategy for control of feral cats in woodland
areas. Research data from Dryandra is currently being analysed. Feral cats pose
one of the single greatest threats to our native wildlife, and predation by
feral cats is the most significant cause of death for the threatened numbat and
the woylie at Dryandra.
(3) Research
in Dryandra Woodland is ongoing. The Department of Parks and Wildlife is
continuing to monitor the response by native animals to a reduction in predator
numbers. Findings from this research will be applied in operational management.
(4) Eradicat
has successfully reduced feral cat numbers in the Shark Bay World Heritage
area, northern goldfields and south coast region. Baiting is at a time of year
when prey numbers, including introduced animals such as mice and rabbits, are
low so that the take-up of baits by cats is higher. The research at Dryandra
will contribute to the knowledge about the effectiveness of Eradicat in the
wheatbelt.
question.
(1) Research
in Dryandra Woodland using non-toxic Eradicat baits began in March 2011.
Research using toxic Eradicat baits began in May 2012.
(2) Research to
date has focused on non-target animals. Current work in Dryandra Woodland is
looking at the best baiting strategy for control of feral cats in woodland
areas. Research data from Dryandra is currently being analysed. Feral cats pose
one of the single greatest threats to our native wildlife, and predation by
feral cats is the most significant cause of death for the threatened numbat and
the woylie at Dryandra.
(3) Research
in Dryandra Woodland is ongoing. The Department of Parks and Wildlife is
continuing to monitor the response by native animals to a reduction in predator
numbers. Findings from this research will be applied in operational management.
(4) Eradicat
has successfully reduced feral cat numbers in the Shark Bay World Heritage
area, northern goldfields and south coast region. Baiting is at a time of year
when prey numbers, including introduced animals such as mice and rabbits, are
low so that the take-up of baits by cats is higher. The research at Dryandra
will contribute to the knowledge about the effectiveness of Eradicat in the
wheatbelt.
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