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Tags / Keywords Felis catus (Cat )
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Protection of Kiritimati Seabirds through Invasive Species Management

SPREP Publications, Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Cranwell, Steve

The Wildlife Conservation Unit and BirdLife International successfully completed baiting operations to eradicate Pacific rats from 13 motu including Motu Upua in the Kiritimati Central Lagoon. Four of these motu were previously rat free (Drum islets) and 3 others (Nimroona islets) had been baited in 2023 but rats (and one cat) were confirmed present likely following a reduction in the water level of the lagoon. The 14-day field mission also strengthened WCUs capability for detecting rats and cats and in the use of tools and practices to eradicate them. A suppression response for cats was initiated on Big Peninsula but requires WCU personnel to have regular access to vehicles to operationalise it. Observations of seabirds confirmed Phoenix Petrel numbers remain high for the Drum and Nimroona islets, but few nesting Red-tailed Tropicbirds were observed and may be attributable to the widespread poaching of these and other seabirds. Access to vehicles enabling reinstatement of regular patrols by WCU personnel is considered critical and could be facilitated through specialist expertise and the provision of parts in making repairs to the existing fleet. Other recommendations include a regular surveillance programme for priority islets to detect and respond to rat incursions.

Tokelau/Kimoa Rat, feral pig and feral cat eradication Operational Plan

SPREP Publications, Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Jacques, P.

This operational plan presents the methodology and logistics for executing eradications of Pacific rats (Rattus exulans), Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and feral cats (Felis catus) in Tokelau. This document stems directly from a feasibility report completed in January 2024. For details on the site, biodiversity values, the target species etc, please refer to the feasibility report. Planning issues and dependencies that must be resolved in the planning stage of the eradication were identified in the feasibility report. Pre-eradication trials were proposed to resolve questions around tools and techniques; the methodology for these trials is developed in Section 1 below. This should be used as a “living document”, the contents of which will inevitably change as planning for the eradication proceeds and as the results of pre-eradication trials are reported.

Tokelau Kimoa/Rat, Feral Pig and Feral Cat Eradication Feasibility Assessment.

SPREP Publications, Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Jacques, P.

The goal of this assessment is to assess the feasibility of permanently eradicating rats, feral cats and feral pigs from the entire territory of Tokelau and preventing the reinvasion of these species in the future. The intended audience are the decision makers of Tokelau, and, by extension, the community. The assessment will also be socialized amongst practitioners in the field of invasive mammal eradications for peer review.

Abundance and Home ranges of Feral Cats in an Urban Conservancy where there is Supplemental Feeding: a case study from South Africa

Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Downs, C.T.

Tennent, J.

There is much debate surrounding the impact of feral cats (Felis catus) on wildlife. Conservancies areusually areas where indigenous flora and fauna are protected and aliens excluded or managed. The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College campus (HCC) is an urban conservancy containing feral cats that are presently not managed, and little is known about their ecology and behaviour. Consequently a feral cat population census was conducted, and their home range investigated. Estimates of the overall campus feral cat population numbers ranged between 23.4–40.0 cats/km2 with a minimum of 55 identified as resident. They were not randomly distributed in the study area, with spacing patterns being related to resource availability. Home range area and core distribution of eight radio-collared cats were determined over 13 months. Total home range areas were relatively small, with considerable overlap between them. Home ranges were clustered in areas with permanent feeding stations and these were also within the cats’ core ranges. Supplemental food resources appear to have a major influence on numbers, home and core range area, and behavior of cats. It is clear that cat densities grow to high levels with reliable and abundant food supply and only ad hoc sterilization. This has implications for their management in the HCC urban conservancy.

A Review of Feral Cat Eradication on Islands

Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Alonso, J.

Donlan, C.J.

Martin, A.

Nogales, M.

Puerta, B.

Tershy, B.R.

Veitch, D.

Wood, B.

We reviewed feral cat eradication campaigns on islands with the primary intent of assessing the approaches, successes, and challenges of these conservation actions to help facilitate future island conservation programs. We reviewed documented impacts of feral cat populations on island ecosystems and the recovery of native populations after cat removal. We then analyzed key aspects of these eradication campaigns to identify future directions and challenges of cat eradication. We compiled data from published and gray literature and personally communicated with over 60 researchers and conservation practitioners, covering most of the world’s insular regions.

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