❓ Ms. Duncan inquires about a breakthrough in feral cat control. The Minister responds, highlighting the development and licensing of 'Eradicat' bait and its potential impact on native wildlife, drawing parallels with the successful Western Shield program for fox control.
AnsweredQoN 151Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FERAL CAT CONTROL
151. Ms W.M. DUNCAN to the Minister for
Environment:
I understand there has been a
breakthrough in feral cat control in Western Australia as a result of research
by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Could the minister please update the
house on this matter?
151. Ms W.M. DUNCAN to the Minister for
Environment:
I understand there has been a
breakthrough in feral cat control in Western Australia as a result of research
by the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Could the minister please update the
house on this matter?
AnswerView source ↗
I have looked forward to updating
the house on this very important issue. I am sure that most members are aware
that cats are one of our introduced apex feral predators and that they are
extremely effective and proficient hunters that are widespread across Western
Australia. Cats are an introduced species that poses one of the single greatest
threats to our native wildlife. Historically, another well-known apex predator
in Western Australia is the fox. However, following the Liberal–National
government–initiated Western Shield program, which was rolled out in
the early 1990s, we have seen the threat of foxes to native fauna significantly
lessen. However, cats have subsequently filled that gap. I am very pleased to
announce that, after 10 years of work and trials by the Department of Parks and
Wildlife, a new dedicated cat bait has been licensed. The bait is called
Eradicat. We have permission to use Eradicat through the Australian Pesticides
and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Eradicat is much like the fox baits used in
the Western Shield program. It is a 1080-based substance that has particular
efficacy when targeted—historically it was targeted to foxes—particularly
to cats.
Since 1996, the Western Shield program has seen typically one
million baits laid over an annual period in an area of some three million
hectares through the south west, the midwest, the goldfields and as far north
as the Pilbara. It has shown a reduction in fox predation, indeed a reduction
in fox population, by up to 55 per cent over that time in targeted areas. This
has saved many, many key Western Australian species from the brink of
extinction. In fact, many of those Western Australian species, such as quenda
and tamar wallabies, have now been delisted as a result of the Western Shield
program. We are very excited about the opportunities that Eradicat presents to
the Department of Parks and Wildlife to target both those apex predators; not
just foxes, but also cats.
I would like to acknowledge our partners in the development
of the Eradicat bait: Alcoa Australia, BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina and Tronox.
They were all significant contributors to the development of this bait, and the
project demonstrates that industry partnerships are essential to deliver strong
conservation outcomes in Western Australia. I look forward to updating the
house as we progressively roll out this bait in key areas.
the house on this very important issue. I am sure that most members are aware
that cats are one of our introduced apex feral predators and that they are
extremely effective and proficient hunters that are widespread across Western
Australia. Cats are an introduced species that poses one of the single greatest
threats to our native wildlife. Historically, another well-known apex predator
in Western Australia is the fox. However, following the Liberal–National
government–initiated Western Shield program, which was rolled out in
the early 1990s, we have seen the threat of foxes to native fauna significantly
lessen. However, cats have subsequently filled that gap. I am very pleased to
announce that, after 10 years of work and trials by the Department of Parks and
Wildlife, a new dedicated cat bait has been licensed. The bait is called
Eradicat. We have permission to use Eradicat through the Australian Pesticides
and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Eradicat is much like the fox baits used in
the Western Shield program. It is a 1080-based substance that has particular
efficacy when targeted—historically it was targeted to foxes—particularly
to cats.
Since 1996, the Western Shield program has seen typically one
million baits laid over an annual period in an area of some three million
hectares through the south west, the midwest, the goldfields and as far north
as the Pilbara. It has shown a reduction in fox predation, indeed a reduction
in fox population, by up to 55 per cent over that time in targeted areas. This
has saved many, many key Western Australian species from the brink of
extinction. In fact, many of those Western Australian species, such as quenda
and tamar wallabies, have now been delisted as a result of the Western Shield
program. We are very excited about the opportunities that Eradicat presents to
the Department of Parks and Wildlife to target both those apex predators; not
just foxes, but also cats.
I would like to acknowledge our partners in the development
of the Eradicat bait: Alcoa Australia, BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina and Tronox.
They were all significant contributors to the development of this bait, and the
project demonstrates that industry partnerships are essential to deliver strong
conservation outcomes in Western Australia. I look forward to updating the
house as we progressively roll out this bait in key areas.
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