Cats have been present in Australia since European settlement and by the mid-19th century they were well established in the wild. Intentional releases to help control rabbit outbreaks increased their range (Abbott, 2008). Cats are classified into three categories – domestic, stray and feral, with the latter being the target of control programs (Department of Environment, 2015). The national Threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats identifies feral cats as “serious vertebrate pests” which inflict “severe to catastrophic effects on native fauna” where they have been known to prey on 400 vertebrate species, 28 of which are on the IUCN Red List (Department of Environment, 2015, p. 5; Doherty, Davis, van Etten, Algar, Collier, Dickman, …show more content…
For many years 1080 has been widely used due to its biodegradability, low cost, ease of use and effectiveness but in recent years its humaneness has come under questioning. (Sherley, 2007; Fisher et al, 2015). Both Sherley and Sharp and Saunders identify that toxicosis is typified by retching, manic running, central nervous dysfunction, convulsions, hyperexcitability and respiratory failure (2007; 2014). It is thought that the animal is capable of suffering during the early stages and even between convulsive episodes, though it is unlikely during central nervous dysfunction (Sherley, 2007; Sharp & Saunders, 2014). Analgesics, sedatives and anxiety reducing drugs have been added with 1080 baits to in an attempt to alleviate suffering during these stages (Sherley, 2007). PAPP is a newer toxicant available and is currently in its final stages of registration for use in Australia (ACTA, 2015). PAPP has two distinguishing features by comparison to 1080. Firstly, its toxicity is more selective, particularly to eutherian carnivores such as cats (Hetherington, Algar, Mills, & Bencini, 2007; Fisher et al, 2015). Secondly, it has an antidote which helps combat issues associated with non-target poisoning, particularly domestic dogs (Fisher et al, 2015). The action of the drug also constitutes a more humane death by causing oxidation of red blood cells, rapidly depleting …show more content…
Grooming traps spray toxins on the fur which is then ingested through grooming. By harnessing a cat’s meticulousness for grooming, most non-target species will not be exposed. In their trials, Read et al produced significantly lower death rates by comparison to PAPP meat bait identifying a gap in effectiveness and welfare associated with incomplete lethal doses (2014). The Threat abatement plan has identified a need to search for biological controls such as immunocontraceptive options and use of biotechnology to use RNA-guided gene drives to alter sex bias or sensitise species to a toxin (Department of Environment, 2015). This will not be realised within the next five years and will incite significant ethical