Estimating feral cat (Felis catus) density in a rural to urban gradient using camera trapping

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-226
Author(s):  
Cara M. Hansen ◽  
Adrian M. Paterson ◽  
James G. Ross ◽  
Shaun C. Ogilvie
Keyword(s):  
Felis Catus ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Urban Gradient ◽  
Feral Cat

The value of camera traps in monitoring a feral-cat and fox reduction program

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 599
Author(s):  
Graham G. Thompson ◽  
Scott A. Thompson ◽  
Andrew Bengsen
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Knock Down ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Reduction Program

Abstract ContextWe examined the effectiveness of camera traps to monitor the success of a feral-cat (Felis catus) and fox (Vulpes vulpes) reduction program near Ravensthorpe, Western Australia. AimsTo determine whether camera traps are an effective tool to measure a reduction in the abundance of F. catus and V. vulpes at a local scale. MethodsIn all, 201 Foxoff® baits (i.e. 1080) were laid along the edge of unsealed tracks for each of three periods (i.e. opened 13–15 May 2017, Period 1 closed 29–31 May 2017, Period 2 closed 12–13 June 2017, Period 3 closed 25–26 June 2017), and 98 bait sites were monitored by camera traps during each period. In addition, 150 baited cage traps were deployed to catch F. catus for the same three periods. Vulpes vulpes and F. catus were also shot in the adjacent paddocks before traps were opened and during the laying of traps and bait replacement. We used the first 13 days of camera-trapping data for each period to examine whether there was a significant reduction in V. vulpes and F. catus. Key resultsCamera traps recorded a significant reduction in V. vulpes images, but knock-down with Foxoff® baits was not as effective as in other programs, and there was no change in the measured abundance of F. catus. Numerous baits were taken and not recorded by camera traps. Multiple V. vulpes moved past or investigated, but did not take baits and a V. vulpes was recorded regurgitating a bait. ConclusionsCamera traps were not effective for recording bait-take events. Vulpes vulpes knock-down was low and slow compared with other studies, did not reflect the number of baits taken and Foxoff® baits appeared unpalatable or unattractive to many V. vulpes. ImplicationsCamera traps did not record a high proportion of bait-take, appeared to be insensitive to small changes in fox and cat abundance and Foxoff® baits were less effective in reducing the abundance of V. vulpes than in other studies.

Feeding ecology and population dynamics of the feral cat (Felis catus) in relation to the availability of prey in central-eastern New South Wales

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Molsher ◽  
Alan Newsome ◽  
Chris Dickman
Keyword(s):  
Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Minor Components ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Central Eastern

The diet of feral cats (Felis catus) was studied at Lake Burrendong, central-eastern New South Wales, from July 1994 to June 1997. Mammals were the major prey in 499 scats that were analysed. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were the staple prey, while carrion was an important secondary food. Invertebrates, other mammalian prey, vegetation, birds and reptiles were generally minor components of the diet. Few significant seasonal differences in diet were found; however, invertebrates contributed less and possums more to the diet in winter and summer respectively. A significant dietary response was found to changes in rabbit abundance, but not for the other prey types. Cats continued to prey heavily on rabbits even after a 90% decline in rabbit abundance occurred, which coincided with the advent of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD). House mice (Mus domesticus) increased in importance in the diet ten months post-RCD. Although the abundance of cats was correlated with the abundance of some prey species, other factors may have influenced the observed patterns; these are discussed.

Biology of the Feral Cat, Felis Catus (L.), On Macquarie Island.

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 425 ◽  
Author(s):  
NP Brothers ◽  
IJ Skira ◽  
GR Copson
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Macquarie Island ◽  
Pregnant Females

246 feral cats were shot on Macquarie Island, Australia, between Dec. 1976 and Feb. 1981. The sex ratio ( males : females ) was 1:0.8. The percentages of animals with tabby, orange and black coats were 74, 26 and 2 resp. [sic]. Of the 64 orange cats, 56 were males . The breeding season was Oct.-Mar., with a peak in Nov.-Dec. The number of embryos in the 14 pregnant females averaged 4.7 (range = 1-9). The size of the 23 litters that were observed averaged 3 (range = 1-8). Kitten survival to 6 months of age was estimated to be <43%.

Home range and diet of feral cats in Hawaii forests

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ty D. Smucker ◽  
Gerald D. Lindsey ◽  
Stephen M. Mosher
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Kernel Method ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Regular Component ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Adaptive Kernel ◽  
Adult Cats

Feral cat Felis catus home range in a Hawaiian montane wet forest and their diet in three habitats - montane wet forest, subalpine dry forest, and lowland dry forest ? were determined to provide baseline ecological data and to assess potential impacts to native terrestrial fauna. Seven cats (three males and four females) were captured in 624 trap nights. Mean weight of adult cats was 2.85 � 0.27 (SE) kg for males and 1.87 � 0.03 kg for females. Mean diurnal home range using the adaptive kernel method was 5.74 � 2.73 km2 for three males and 2.23 � 0.44 km2 for two females. Daytime locations were always within the montane wet forest with the borders on one or more sides of the home ranges of all cats defined by open grassland pastures. Rodents comprised the majority of the cat diets in all three habitats, with the frequencies of occurrence between 0.88 and 0.91. Bird remains were a regular component of the diet of cats, with montane wet forest having the highest frequency of occurrence (0.68), followed by subalpine dry forest (0.53). and lowland dry forest (0.21).

A Comparison of Predator Scat Analysis With Conventional Techniques in a Mammal Survey of Contrasting Habitats in Gippsland, Victoria.

1978 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
GR Friend
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Scat Analysis ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Eucalyptus Forest ◽  
Contrasting Habitats ◽  
Cattle And Sheep ◽  
Mammal Survey

In Gippsland, Victoria, in pine plantations and the adjacent native eucalyptus forest, mammal population was estimated by the usual methods and by analysis of ffaeces of predators. Predators were fox (Vulpes vulpes), feral cat (Felis catus), dog and dingo. Prey species found in faeces included 1 monotreme, 18 marsupial and 10 placental mammals, including the predators. Remains of cattle and sheep were found, presumably eaten as carrion. Remains of plants, or of animals other than the groups noted, were not required to be identified for the purpose of the study, nor were prey species attributed to each species of predator.

Regional seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in feral and stray cats (Felis catus) from Tasmania

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bronwyn A. Fancourt ◽  
Robert B. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Tasmanian Devil ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Stray Cats

Toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite of felids that also has significant implications for the health of wildlife, livestock and humans worldwide. In Australia, feral, stray and domestic cats (Felis catus) are the most important definitive host of T. gondii as they are the only species that can excrete the environmentally resistant oocysts that provide a major source of infection for mammals and birds. In Tasmania, the rapid decline of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) may allow an increase in feral cat abundance, thereby increasing the risk of T. gondii infection to a range of susceptible wildlife species. At present, there is scant information on the prevalence of T. gondii infection in feral cat populations across Tasmania. We tested feral cats from 13 regions across Tasmania for the presence of T. gondii–specific IgG antibodies using a modified agglutination test. Results were combined with serosurveys from three previous studies to enable a comparison of seroprevalence among 14 regions across Tasmania. We found that 84.2% (224 of 266) of cats tested positive for T. gondii IgG antibodies. This is among the highest rates of prevalence recorded from Australia, and significantly higher than for most other countries. Adult cats had higher seroprevalence than kittens but there was no difference between sexes. In Tasmania, seroprevalence was high in 12 of 14 regions (range: 79.3–100.0%), with only two regions (Tasman Island and Southern Tasmania) recording significantly lower seroprevalence (≤50%). This suggests a high risk of infection across Tasmania, and has significant implications for wildlife conservation should feral cat abundance increase with the ongoing declines in Tasmanian devils.

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