YAY! One of my favourite topics. I am not at my best today but I'll have my say. There are a few islands off the coast of Oz which are nearly feral free which is fantastic news. Many of the programs employ indigenous Australians who would not otherwise have employment. Feral cats are a MAJOR problem, huge, and eradicating them is harder than first imagined. They have wiped out entire species of birds, small mammals, insects and reptiles. Its devastating. The control of feral animals in Oz has been mismanaged, not helped by the fast growth of the very, very many people who have no respect for the fragile natural environment we live in. Who then cry about the bilby's being fired from easter, influxes of domestic rats, lack of bird life in their garden, bushfires... The list goes on.
Irresponsible (read, "cruel") pet owners
That is a much nicer way than I would put it. If a pet needs to go outside to hunt or is let roam the streets, they have a neglectful owner and who should not keep animals. Simple as that. I think cats as companions are wonderful pets and I enjoy meeting happy indoor pets. Like rabbits, there is no need for them to be kept outside if they were brought into the home to be a companion. Free range Dogs have bred with dingoes and have become a problem up north. Large enough to take down cattle.
Cats are not the only feral problem, but in my opinion the most damaging. Possibly because I live in an area with some very cute little critters who are being decimated. Foxes, dogs, horses, camels, goats pigs and rabbits are other problems. Cane toads and starlings are starting to find their way into WA. I do not think the rabbit viruses are the way to go here - I could go on and on about that but, wrong topic. I have ideas but as an uneducated bogan, no one is gona listen to them (like finding a way to turn off the desire to breed instead of releasing Ebola). Shooting is a popular method, and possibly the most humane we have right now. Large animals are generally culled aerially and small animals via poisons. The baits are another BAD idea. Every single person I have met in this town has lost working dogs to baits meant for foxes and cats. Usually carried into unsignposted areas by birds. Grey nomads travelling with their dogs should be warned of the high risk. Cats know not to touch them.
Shotguns are a permitted form of firearm for those in rural areas. There are fox/cat/rabbit hunts yearly. They are shrinking but I think they should be promoted! A shot death is usually a quick death. I know little of the true history of Australia since finding out what I learnt from history class in year 9 was a near on complete lie told by the fat white winners, but from what we're lead to believe the cats were brought on the ships to keep the mice and rats company while the foxes and rabbits were released for sport. I think the world forgets how 'young' a country we are - we could turn the destruction around if we act instead of all this stupid softy in- fighting. Just do it. PETA should not have power here. And they are a bit slow considering how long culling has been going on for other animals. Rabbits die screaming in pain from the viruses. Doesn't surprise me that they only start to chuck a sad when the animals in question are cats. They can gain worldwide support with those. Doubtful that the feral camels or pigs would get as much press.
Ever seen a feral cat that been wild for a couple of years, they are scary things. Feral cats are like feral pigs they don't know when to stop eating. Cats the size of an Alsatian or a pigs trap that was destroyed from the inside and rated at 2 tons.
You speak the truth. There is often talk of "cougars" or "mountain lions" but the truth is, they are just MASSIVE territorial feral cats. I have seen a pony with claw marks in its neck, spanning bigger than my head. Heard so many stories of the Jarrahdale cougar. I know a farmer who has found dead kangaroos in trees - no native animals do that. Many who were born and bred near by will not go bush after dark.
I do support the mass culling of feral animals, and would like to see new ideas implemented for their control. I support finding a way to do this as humanely as possible. The cat culling programs look good from what I have read. Cats are tracked, trapped and destroyed quickly. We can still save the plants and creatures we haven't discovered yet!
