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CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS ON THE STATUS OF THE Kangaroo Island Cat Control Committee
CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS ON THE STATUS OF THE Kangaroo Island Cat Control Committee The KICCC was formed in 2003 and is a group of people drawn from the KI community. They include farmers, DEH, NRM, KI Council staff, Eco researchers and Joe Public. The aim is to promote cat control at all levels on KI viz: domestic, stray, un-owned, and feral in the hope that eventually cats can be removed from the pristine KI bush. It is well established that feral cats impact on the two biggest and important Industries on KI, tourism and sheep farming. That cats are worthy of our attention on KI is due to two major factors: As the top predator on KI (no foxes or wild dogs on KI) and a lack of their main mainland diet (rabbits) cats exercise their consummate hunting skills on the Island fauna and have become very abundant compared with the rest of Australia. Although they target slightly smaller prey than foxes they have much better killing skills stalking, leaping, speed, and tree climbing. All cats are obligate carnivores. Cats are the natural host of parasites that impact on wild life (Toxoplasmosis) and sheep (Toxo and Sarcocystosis). Toxo readily kills Australian wildlife who appear to be exquisitely sensitive to this intestinal parasite and sheep are readily infested with Toxo (abortion storms) and Sarco (a muscle parasite which causes carcases to be trimmed or condemned on the slaughter floor. The negative financial impact of feral cats on these two industries is impossible to accurately calculate but is easily in the region of several million dollars ANNUALLY. Feral cat control (and perhaps one day eradication?) has some urgency on KI because of the impacts described above, because of the negative impacts repeatedly voiced by tourists, because of the need to maintain KI's clean and green image so important to current food and drink producers, AND to any potential products of the future wanting to ride on the coat tails of the wholesome image of KI. KICCC sees its current role:- as an educator (Councils, schools, farmers, urban pop.) on how best to manage the domestic cat so that it does not contribute to the feral population, to assist in whatever way any bona fide body intent on obtaining a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of the feral cat so that measures may one day be put in place to control this killing machine. FUNDING: while memberships and donations make up a small proportion of our income, the vast majority has come from outside bodies in the form of donations (TOMM and KI Council), or grants (Envirofund, Caring for our Country etc). We use this money largely for education in "getting the message out there". Our latest grant has been used to purchase equipment to assess the effectiveness of trapping, and various lures under the guidance of the NRM. Education will, however, remain our core business. Our next target will be the farming community demonstrating how best to rid the farm of nesting places, easy feeds and comfort zones for feral cats. Demonstrations on sarco trimming will underline the losses that accrue from cats on the farming bottom line. Prospective members/donors may email me or phone 0429813344. Anything to assist us in our work would be most welcome. Jack Reddin
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Home Page Wildlife at Risk Stock at Risk Pets at Risk People at Risk Who we are Future Plans News & Media Our Critics Resources Contact Us Cat Sightings Form Members Site Map

Kangaroo Island Cat Control Committee

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS ON THE STATUS OF THE Kangaroo Island Cat Control Committee

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS ON THE STATUS OF THE Kangaroo Island Cat Control Committee

The KICCC was formed in 2003 and is a group of people drawn from the KI community. They include farmers, DEH, NRM, KI Council staff, Eco researchers and Joe Public. The aim is to promote cat control at all levels on KI viz: domestic, stray, un-owned, and feral in the hope that eventually cats can be removed from the pristine KI bush.

It is well established that feral cats impact on the two biggest and important Industries on KI, tourism and sheep farming. That cats are worthy of our attention on KI is due to two major factors:

As the top predator on KI (no foxes or wild dogs on KI) and a lack of their main mainland diet (rabbits) cats exercise their consummate hunting skills on the Island fauna and have become very abundant compared with the rest of Australia. Although they target slightly smaller prey than foxes they have much better killing skills stalking, leaping, speed, and tree climbing. All cats are obligate carnivores.
Cats are the natural host of parasites that impact on wild life (Toxoplasmosis) and sheep (Toxo and Sarcocystosis). Toxo readily kills Australian wildlife who appear to be exquisitely sensitive to this intestinal parasite and sheep are readily infested with Toxo (abortion storms) and Sarco (a muscle parasite which causes carcases to be trimmed or condemned on the slaughter floor.

The negative financial impact of feral cats on these two industries is impossible to accurately calculate but is easily in the region of several million dollars ANNUALLY.

Feral cat control (and perhaps one day eradication?) has some urgency on KI because of the impacts described above, because of the negative impacts repeatedly voiced by tourists, because of the need to maintain KI's clean and green image so important to current food and drink producers, AND to any potential products of the future wanting to ride on the coat tails of the wholesome image of KI.

KICCC sees its current role:-

as an educator (Councils, schools, farmers, urban pop.) on how best to manage the domestic cat so that it does not contribute to the feral population,
to assist in whatever way any bona fide body intent on obtaining a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of the feral cat so that measures may one day be put in place to control this killing machine.

FUNDING: while memberships and donations make up a small proportion of our income, the vast majority has come from outside bodies in the form of donations (TOMM and KI Council), or grants (Envirofund, Caring for our Country etc). We use this money largely for education in "getting the message out there". Our latest grant has been used to purchase equipment to assess the effectiveness of trapping, and various lures under the guidance of the NRM.

Education will, however, remain our core business. Our next target will be the farming community demonstrating how best to rid the farm of nesting places, easy feeds and comfort zones for feral cats.

Demonstrations on sarco trimming will underline the losses that accrue from cats on the farming bottom line.

Prospective members/donors may email me or phone 0429813344.

Anything to assist us in our work would be most welcome.

Jack Reddin