Feathered Futures: Enhancing habitat for threatened birds

Feral cats pose a significant threat to the survival of critically endangered Australian species, including the Night parrot, Carpentarian grasswren, and Gouldian finch. These invasive predators prey on ground-dwelling birds, especially when they are during nesting or feeding. Reducing feral cat numbers is essential to protect these vulnerable species and increase their chances of population recovery.

A feral cat management program aims to address this issue by effectively reducing feral cat populations within the project area. This program will involve a combination of strategies to minimise the impact of feral cats on endangered wildlife. By decreasing feral cat density, the project will create safer habitat for threatened birds. Additionally, the program will raise awareness about the issue of feral cats and promote community involvement in conservation efforts, ensuring long-term sustainability across their habitat range.

Outcomes:

• Protection of endangered species such as the Night Parrot, Carpentarian Grasswren and Gouldian Finch populations by reducing feral cat densities within the project area.
• An increase in the understanding of feral cat management and implementation of management actions.

Project actions include:

• Population monitoring:
  • Feral cats
  • Night parrot
  • Carpentarian grasswren
  • Gouldian finch
• Feral cat management program
• Feral cat management workshops