A draft feline plan aimed to protect Australian native species under threat from feral and pet cats has been released for public consultation.
The draft plan, estimated to cost at least $60 million, details ambitious suggestions to drive down cat populations and to protect other species.
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While the plan aims to address feral cats, pet cats are considered in the plan, with a proposal to introduce a cat curfew and limit on how many a household can have.
Details on what needs to be done over the next five to 10 years, as well as a 30-year missions is explained to reduce the impact of cats so that species currently thriving are not exposed to extinction risks.
Nine core objectives are noted in the plan, including protecting species most at risk of cuts and expanding the network of cat-free fences and island havens.
It also introduces new culling and population control solutions.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said Australia must get a handle on cats if unique Australian species are to survive.
“Feral cats have played a role in two thirds of mammal extinctions over the last 200 years and currently threaten over 200 nationally listed threatened species, including the greater bilby, numbat, and Gilbert’s potoroo,” she said.
“Eradication of feral cats and better management of cat numbers can significantly reduce the threat to native wildlife from this lethal predator.”
Public consultation on the draft is open until December.