A Comprehensive Approach to Feral Cat Eradication
Kangaroo Island’s ambitious feral cat eradication program has made significant progress, reducing the feral cat population from approximately 1,600 to 150. The program, run by the KI Landscape Board, employs a multi-faceted approach including a 3km cat-proof fence, cat-detecting dogs, drones, artificial intelligence, and thermal optics.
Advanced technology plays a vital role in the eradication efforts. More than 270 wildlife cameras capture images daily, which are then processed by AI to distinguish cats from other wildlife. Trapped cats are checked for microchips to ensure no domestic cats are mistakenly caught.
Jack Gough of the Invasive Species Council emphasizes the need for an “immediate injection” of $1.93m to continue the program. The council has requested $6.2m over three years to ensure the program’s success.
The eradication of feral cats on Kangaroo Island is crucial not only for local wildlife but also as a potential proof-of-concept for broader applications. Nationally, feral cats kill over 1.5 billion native animals annually and have contributed to the extinction of more than 20 Australian mammals.
As the program nears its critical final stages, supporters stress the importance of continued funding and community support to achieve a cat-free island and protect vulnerable species.
