Introduced Predators

Introduced and feral predators are invasive animals that live in the bush across Australia. They survive by scavenging and hunting other animals. Introduced and feral predators include:

• feral cats
• introduced European red foxes
• wild dogs

Many of these feral predators have established large populations across Australia.

Introduced and feral predators are a threat to biodiversity and healthy Country.

Introduced and feral predators are carnivorous. They like to scavenge on carrion and eat live prey, including native mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, fish and insects. They will also eat other invasive animals like house mice and rabbits.

Introduced predators are a serious threat to Australia’s wildlife because they can kill and eat a large number of animals every night. They have contributed to the extinction and decline of many native mammal, birds, reptile and frog species.

Introduced predators also compete for food resources with native predators like quolls, eagles and goannas, and have diseases that can infect native animals, livestock and humans.

The impacts of some introduced and feral predators are listed as  key threatening processes to native species under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act:

• ‘Predation by feral cats’
• ‘Predation by the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes)’

Managing Introduced Predators

Introduced and feral predators in Australia are widespread and well-adapted to the environment, which makes eradication difficult. Best practice management of these predators therefore focuses on reducing the threat of predation to native animals. Control methods for introduced predators include shooting, trapping, poison baiting and introduced predator-proof fenced-areas.

Reducing the impact of introduced predators is most effective when the control program is also combined with right-way fire management, replanting or protecting native vegetation, or with the control of other invasive animals like rabbits.