Feral Cats Pose Threat

While the landowners have reported occasional sightings of feral cats over the past few years, it wasn’t until we installed trail cameras that we got a real sense of the extent of the problem. A camera set up on the edge of one of our main tracks picked up two cats in the same area over a four day period. 

These wild cats have the same appearance as many household cats but are often bigger if they have access to ample food sources. They prey on native birds and bats as well as rabbits, rats, mice, weta and other insects. Feral cats are very effective hunters, covering large distances - mostly at night - to find their prey.

Some of the traps we have which are designed to catch possums are also effective on feral cats. Landowners in the conservation area also have traps which specifically target feral cats. These need to be checked daily.