THE HUNT IS ON TO REMOVE DAMAGING FERAL CATS FROM OUR LANDSCAPE
Next month, Federal Minister for the Environment Josh Frydenberg will announce the first round of grants available to community groups willing to assist in a nationwide cull of feral cats.
The grants will total up to $5 million and continue until 2020. The aim is to remove two million feral cats from the Australian landscape.
The horrendous death toll created by that cuddly little kitten gone wild is not new to anyone, but time is running out for 124 threatened species.
Already the disappearance of 20 of the 30 native mammals now extinct on our island continent are attributed to the introduction of cats gone wild.
The population is estimated to be 2.1 million in drought years and up to six million in wet seasons. Australia has seen good conditions, from Western Australia to the east coast, and the Territory is experiencing what could be a record wet both in the Top End and Central Australia.
So my bet is the number of feral cats will be closer to six million for the coming years.
Researchers have said each feral cat kills 1000 animals, birds and insects per annum.
In all my life, I have only ever known one cat owner who took full responsibility for her pet cat — she confined it indoors 24/7 and had it desexed.
It is high time someone took the fight out to the feral cats and helped protect our tata lizards and such.
Every year I see dead feral cats hung on the fences at Harrison Dam and feel pleased a hunter has saved countless thousands of critters with one well-placed shot.
I hope NT Field and Game will be granted funding to conduct organised cat cull hunts across the flood plain this year and into the future.
This would protect our ducklings and goslings, as well as every other nesting bird at this beautiful reserve.
The grants will also be directed at local and shire councils to begin a trapping program.
While cats are difficult to entice into traps, a new one that senses the cat and sprays their pelt with a toxin will be available. The cat’s fastidious nature for grooming will ensure it licks the toxin off and thus is poisoned.
Meanwhile, sporting clay target practice is back on Fridays at the NT Field and Game range, Micket Creek Shooting Complex, Brandt Rd, Knuckey Lagoon.
There are now two options, with the token system in operation. The ranges will be open from 3pm on Fridays for those who plan ahead and pre purchase ammo and tokens. The sales desk normally opens at 5pm. The next completion will be a 50-target handicap event held on Sunday, March 19, from 8am.
“Researchers have said each feral cat kills 1000 animals, birds and insects per annum”