There are renewed calls for lower North Shore residents to keep their cats indoors and dogs on leash to try and curb attacks on local wildlife.
Australia holds one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, with more than half (61 per cent) having a fur baby in the family – dogs being the most common (40 per cent), followed by cats.
Despite their valued role as companion animals, the 3.8 million domestic cats in Australia are a major threat to native wildlife, having played a leading role in most of the nation’s 34 mammal extinctions since 1788.
Experts say our domestic cats are a big reason the populations of at least 123 other threatened native species are also dropping.
According to research from The Threatened Species Recovery Hub, roaming pet cats kill 390 million animals per year in Australia, including native species such as long-nosed bandicoots and Lyre birds – which have only just come back to the North Shore following extensive bush regeneration work.
“That’s an average of 186 animals being killed, mostly native species, per roaming domestic cat each year,” says Holly Parsons, urban bird program manager at Birdlife Australia.
“While each pet cat kills fewer animals than a feral cat, their high density means the predation toll per area is very high in urban areas, collectively killing 7,200 to 13,100 animals per square kilometre each year in urban areas.
“So, that’s a lot of animals, many native, which are being killed.”
Northern Sydney councils receive many complaints about pet cats, from attacking wildlife and other pets, to defecating in neighbours’ garden and wandering into other people’s homes.
During the day, domestic cats mainly prey on smaller creatures such as lizard, mice, and birds, while at night they attack nocturnal animals like possums, bandicoots, and wallabies.
North Sydney Council’s bushland management coordinator, Gareth Debney, says, “We’ve got a lot of wildlife cameras deployed in reserves and pretty much wherever I put a camera in North Sydney bushland, there are cats.
The Mosman area has one of the highest rates of dog attack in Metropolitan Sydney.
“More often than not, you can see a collar, so you know that it’s a pet cat.
“A hunting cat will take on anything in its weight range that it can overpower, including ringtail and bushtail possums, and our long–nosed bandicoots, which have only recently come back to the area after being extinct across North Sydney and the Beaches for years.”
Birdlife’s Ms Parsons says she’s seen the direct impact of cats on endangered species, such as the long-nosed bandicoots, before.
In Mandurah, WA, hunting by just one pet cat and one stray cat caused the total breeding failure of a colony of more than 100 pairs of fairy terns.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Cats collectively kill 7,200 to 13,100 animals per square kilometre each year in urban areas.
“It resulted in total decimation and that population leaving the site,” she explains.
North Sydney Council encourages feline owners to keep their cats in at night to reduce the chances of them hunting wildlife as well as getting injured or disturbing the peace by fighting.
“Cats are not allowed in any of Council’s bushlands or reserves,” says Mayor Zoë Baker.
“With the significant loss of canopy created by the Western Harbour Tunnel project, it’s more important than ever for us to protect the bushland we have left and our native fauna.
Urban bird program manager at Birdlife Australia, Holly Parsons, is urging cat owners to keep their cats indoors, for their own safety as well as that of the wildlife.
“That’s an average of 186 animals being killed, mostly native species, per roaming domestic cat each year,”
Holly Parsons, urban bird program manager at Birdlife Australia.
“This is everyone’s responsibility. By keeping your cat at home, you’re keeping them safe, as well as our wildlife.”
Willoughby City Council conducts cat-trapping in bushland areas where there is evidence that native wildlife is being threatened by cats. A spokesperson said cat owners are urged to confine their cats inside at night and fit an effective bell onto their collars.
“We’re not calling for cats to be removed from Australia, but to create safe spaces for wildlife and cats,” Ms Parsons adds.
“It’s important to keep them separate, so we can enjoy both of them, and keeping cats indoors and in contained runs is the way to go.”
A cat killing a native rat at North Head, Manly, captured on a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) camera.
Meanwhile, Mayor Baker has also called for dog owners to keep their pets on-leash in bushland areas to help reduce the impact on native wildlife.
Local rangers have reported they are seeing more pet owners bringing dogs into national parks where they’re not allowed, including Sydney Harbour National Park.
Added to this, a recent survey from the RSPCA shows Mosman ranks among the likes of Blacktown, Campbelltown, and Canterbury-Bankstown in recording the most dog attacks inside Metropolitan Sydney.
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan says the Council encourages responsible pet ownership through its education programs.
“We also offer regular reminders to residents of their responsibilities, including keeping dogs under effective control, following signage regarding on and off-leash areas, and avoiding any negative impacts on others, including park users.”
Following a spate of dog attacks in the area, Willoughby City Council has ruled dogs must be on-leash in all public areas, including paths, roads and open spaces, or owners risk copping a $330 fine.
Pet canines are also prohibited from entering eating areas, school or childcare grounds, wildlife protection areas or within 10 metres of playground equipment.
By Ana Foxcroft