Australia; WA
Baiting of feral cats in the rocky landscape of the Pilbara region of Western Australia had a positive effect on northern quoll populations, with evidence they expanded their range during the baiting program, according to Australian research. The program took place over four years from 2016 to 2019 and involved aerial dropping of around 71,500 Eradicat baits, a moist ‘chipolata’ style sausage containing the 1080 poison across more than 140,000 hectares. The study found detection rates of northern quolls declined in a non-baited area, whereas quolls only declined by a significant level in 2019 at the baited treatment site, and slightly increased in 2016 and 2017. The study also found evidence that northern quolls were ranging more widely at the treatment site. While the results were encouraging, the program did not remove all cats from the target area and the authors say a more strategic approach to feral cat control may be required.
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