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Bush Heritage has secured a highly competitive $1.6 million Game Changer Federal Government grant to work with eVorta and Timberscope to develop innovative methods for controlling feral cat populations across Australia.
The innovative project, led by Bush Heritage Australia Senior Ecologist Dr James Smith, will test new technology to protect native species from feral cats at seven sites across the continent.
Every year in Australia, feral cats kill over 1.5 billion native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs, and 1.1 billion invertebrates.
Dr Smith is excited about the project's scale and the opportunity this presents for innovative solutions in this space.
"Feral cats have contributed to two thirds of Australia’s mammal extinctions and threaten over 200 threatened species. We need new ways to address the scale of the problem, and importantly, these new technologies align with Bush Heritage’s commitment to undergo feral animal control in the most humane way possible,'' said Dr Smith.
The project will span diverse landscapes, habitats and climates to evaluate the technology's potential for widespread application'', he said.
"We'll be testing a range of tools designed to improve feral cat capture and deterrence at sites including the Tiwi Islands, Christmas Island, French Island, Victoria’s Alpine regions and Bush Heritage's own Naree Reserve in New South Wales, Yourka Reserve in Queensland and Pullen Pullen in Queensland.
The project employs machine learning AI to accurately detect feral cats, enhancing the efficiency of management efforts. "The use of AI in feral cat control isn't new, but our trials suggest exceptional accuracy and innovation in our approach," said Smith.
The project involves two primary components:
This project is part of a broader government initiative to address the devastating impact of feral cats on Australia's native fauna and landscapes. It represents a significant step forward in the ongoing battle to protect Australia's unique biodiversity.
This project received grant funding from the Australian Government Saving Native Species Program.
