Feral cats kill 75 million native animals every night across Australia – birds, frogs, small mammals and reptiles.

Scientists estimate there could be between 2 million and 6 million feral cats in Australia and they have been responsible for the extinction of more than 20 Australian mammals.

Many programs are in place to try to eradicate these pests.

In Kosciusko National Park, a feral cat detector dog has helped remove 92 feral cats and 139 foxes – helping to save the mountain pygmy-possum.

In the Flinders Ranges, over 100 feral cats have been removed to help the western quoll population in Wilpena Pound.

I have seen feral cats stalking among the shearwater rookeries on Cape Woolamai here on Phillip Island, and no doubt they are in other areas of the island as well.

Now Phillip Island Nature Parks has begun the fight to eradicate feral cats from Phillip Island.

Read the following post from PINP about this exciting program.

“Marbee the border terrier pup might look cute, but this little dog is the secret weapon in the fight to protect wildlife against feral cats on Phillip Island.

Although difficult to estimate numbers on Phillip Island, feral cats have the ability to prey on penguins, bandicoots, birds and possums.

The last physical evidence of any foxes on Phillip Island was detected in August 2015, and the island was declared fox-free two years later. Now the aim is to eliminate feral cats that present the biggest threat to the iconic fauna of Phillip Island through predation and disease.

Marbee will play a key role in their eradication as the first feral cat detection dog for the Island, and one of only a handful in Australia.

Last year, 150 feral cats were captured on Phillip Island.

“Feral cats differ from domestic cats, despite looking similar. They are usually born in the wild, and need to catch their own food which is often our native wildlife,” said Phillip Island Nature Parks Pest Program Manager Stuart Murphy.

Marbee is being trained specifically to detect and track feral cats, and in 12 – 18 months will be field ready. Her trainer, Craig Bester, has been training dogs for 35 years.

She will be joined by another pup in the coming months, and once trained both dogs will be used along with other detection tools such as infra-red cameras to locate feral cats.

“Once trained these dogs will be used to detect and track feral cats because of their heightened sense of smell. They are our eyes, ears and noses and help us locate areas where feral cats are living.” said Mr Murphy.

The successful management of pest animal species on Phillip Island has coincided with an increase in the number of little penguins, hooded plovers, cape barren geese and short tailed shearwater breeding on Phillip Island. It has also allowed for the introduction onto Phillip Island of the Eastern barred bandicoot, considered extinct in the wild on mainland Victoria.”

Why border terriers? Border terriers originated in the border area between England and Scotland in the 18th century. They were used by farmers to flush foxes from their holes. They therefore have a strong drive to hunt and chase. Sounds ideal for the fight against feral cats.

A Border Terrier