NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is upping the ante on its efforts to control feral cats.

The NPWS launched a recruitment campaign last week for its first ever feral cat control team.

Once found, the new five-person team of expert ground shooters will deliver added protection for threatened wildlife by targeting feral cats in locations where cat numbers have increased after good seasonal conditions.  

NPWS Deputy Secretary Atticus Fleming said feral cats continue to have a devastating impact on our wildlife, killing over a billion native animals every year. 

“After three good seasons, NPWS staff are reporting an increase in feral cat numbers, especially in the centre and west of the state. For example, while targeting feral pigs, NPWS staff incredibly shot more than 30 feral cats from a helicopter in Toorale National Park, outside of Bourke,” he said. 

“There is currently no effective landscape control for feral cats. Intensive, well targeted ground shooting operations will now be part of an enhanced strategy including trials of cat baits, deployment of innovative cat traps, establishing large feral-cat free areas and exploring genetic controls.   

“This is a job for anyone who loves being in the outback and who wants to be part of a team dedicated to protecting our wildlife from feral cats. 

“We want people with practical feral animal control experience and a commitment to the highest standards of safety and animal welfare."

Native animals under threat

Iconic animals under threat from feral cats include mammals like the dusky hopping mouse, the yellow-footed rock-wallaby and the stripe-faced dunnart; birds such as the plains wanderer, the grey grass wren and the hooded robin; and reptiles like the endangered Barrier Range dragon.    

The team will be based in Broken Hill, Dubbo and/or Bourke but will be deployed across the state as needed. 

As well as implementing an intensive ground shooting program, team members will support cat baiting and trapping and collect samples to support possible genetic solutions.