Feral cats have a disastrous impact. They’re robust and adaptable. They occupy every type of landscape across literally 99 percent of Australia. Only a few islands and feral-free fenced sanctuaries are exempt from their ravages. Their numbers are difficult to estimate but conservative recent estimates range between 1.4 and 5.6 million, depending on seasonal conditions.
WHEN we consider that each feral cat typically eats 5-30 animals a day it is easy to appreciate the scale of the impact of these relentless hunting machines.
What part might hunting and trapping play in controlling feral cats?
Like many hunters, I have shot the odd feral cat here and there. Over decades of wandering through varied landscapes, I have occasionally knocked over a cat when a chance presented.
A few years ago I was in Arnhem Land chasing water buffalo. My brother Neale and I were doing a slow cruise in our hired Hilux in the middle of nowhere. He was at the wheel and brought us to a
