Efforts to control feral cat populations across Tasmania are providing a crucial lifeline to the state’s native wildlife, according to multiple scientific studies and conservation groups. Research from the University of Tasmania has established a clear link between the presence of feral cats and the decline of native animals, a trend that landcare groups and researchers are now working to reverse.
Feral cats are a significant threat to Tasmania’s biodiversity, preying on a wide range of native animals and contributing to the spread of diseases, as reported by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania. The problem has been made worse by the decline in Tasmanian devil numbers due to the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
According to research published in the journal Ecology Letters and involving University of Tasmania wildlife ecologist Dr. Calum Cunningham, areas with healthy devil populations see a suppression of feral cat numbers. The study found that in regions where devil populations have been severely reduced by disease, feral cat abundance was 58 per cent higher. This increase in feral cats has a direct, negative impact on smaller prey animals like the southern brown bandicoot.
This dynamic, where the apex predator (the devil) controls the smaller predator (the cat), is a key focus of conservation efforts. Community-led initiatives, such as the Lower West Tamar Cat Management Project, are actively trapping feral cats to protect local wildlife. While quantitative data is still being gathered, the West Tamar Landcare Group has reported anecdotal evidence of a resurgence in native fauna, including more frequent sightings of bandicoots and Tasmanian devils in their project area.
These practical efforts are supported by extensive monitoring. University of Tasmania PhD student Alexandra Paton has been using a large network of hundreds of wilderness cameras to map feral cat distribution across the state, even in remote areas. This research aims to identify hotspots and inform targeted control strategies to protect the most vulnerable native species.
The Tasmanian Government recognises feral cats as a destructive invasive species and has regulations in place for their management on public and private land. For local residents, these research findings underscore the importance of supporting conservation programs and responsible pet ownership to help protect Tasmania’s unique and vulnerable wildlife.