How does cat behaviour influence the development and implementation of monitoring techniques and lethal control methods for feral cats?

Response of feral cats to a track‐based baiting programme using Eradicat® baits

“…Cats are less likely than canids to locate and excavate buried baits because they are primarily auditory and visual hunters (Bradshaw ; Fisher et al . ) that lack the acute olfactory senses of canids. Surface laying of cat baits is standard practice is Western Australia (Algar et al .…”

“…Burying the baits is also likely to reduce nontarget uptake, as has been observed in canid baiting programmes (Allen et al 1989;Thomson & Kok 2002;Glen & Dickman 2003), although this is also likely to reduce bait uptake by cats. Cats are less likely than canids to locate and excavate buried baits because they are primarily auditory and visual hunters (Bradshaw 1992;Fisher et al 2014b) that lack the acute olfactory senses of canids. Surface laying of cat baits is standard practice is Western Australia (Algar et al , 2013 where the native fauna have a relatively high tolerance to 1080 poison because they have co-evolved with endemic plants containing a similar compound (Twigg & King 1991;Twigg et al 2003).…”

“…Both trapping and shooting are time‐ and labour‐intensive methods of pest control, whereas baiting is comparatively more cost‐effective when targeting larger areas (Fisher et al . ). However, poison baiting of feral cats is notoriously challenging.…”

“…Unfenced mainland sites, on the other hand, require sustained control efforts because cats have a high reproductive output and an aptitude for reinvasion (Read & Bowen 2001;Short & Turner 2005). Both trapping and shooting are timeand labour-intensive methods of pest control, whereas baiting is comparatively more cost-effective when targeting larger areas (Fisher et al 2014b). However, poison baiting of feral cats is notoriously challenging.…”

“…However, poison baiting of feral cats is notoriously challenging. While the Red Fox, Dingo (Canis dingo) and Dingo/Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) hybrids ('wild dogs' hereafter) will readily take carrion, inclusive of poison meat baits, inanimate baits are assumed to be less preferred food items relative to normal live prey for feral cats (Fisher et al 2014b). However, feral cats are adaptable enough to scavenge, so where possible baiting should be timed to coincide with low availability of natural prey resources Algar et al 2007;Moseby & Hill 2011;Christensen et al 2013).…”