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Tokelau Kimoa/Rat, Feral Pig and Feral Cat Eradication Feasibility Assessment.

SPREP Publications, Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB

Available Online

Jacques, P.

Eradication of rodents, feral pigs and feral cats from Tokelau would bring many benefits, both to terrestrial and marine biodiversity and to the livelihoods and well-being of the community. The restoration of native biodiversity following the removal of invasive mammals is a nature-based solution to maximise the resilience of the islands to the threats posed by human-induced climate change. The proposed eradication is sustainable if biosecurity measures are improved and maintained for the movement of people and goods between Apia (Samoa) and each nuku, and if long-term management can prevent the reintroduction of domestic pigs and cats onto the motu. The eradication is achievable provided that the community agree with the proposed methodology and are willing to support all recommendations. The key dependency is the acceptability to the community of slaughtering all or most of the domestic pigs prior to the eradication of rodents and restocking the communal pig pens only after the caution period has expired. The proposed eradication is technically feasible and within the current limitations of a range of tools. This document will be submitted for consideration to the Taupulega of each nuku and other stakeholders. The dependencies summarised in section 8 will need to be considered carefully as these must be resolved before a Tokelau-wide eradication can proceed. If the proposal is considered acceptable then a trial eradication using ground-based techniques could be conducted on several islets during 2024. This would have the advantage of demonstrating the benefits of eradicating invasive mammals to the local community, including increased abundance of resources including coconut fruit and crabs.

Abundance and Home ranges of Feral Cats in an Urban Conservancy where there is Supplemental Feeding: a case study from South Africa

Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB

Available Online

Downs, C.T.

Tennent, J.

There is much debate surrounding the impact of feral cats (Felis catus) on wildlife. Conservancies areusually areas where indigenous flora and fauna are protected and aliens excluded or managed. The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College campus (HCC) is an urban conservancy containing feral cats that are presently not managed, and little is known about their ecology and behaviour. Consequently a feral cat population census was conducted, and their home range investigated. Estimates of the overall campus feral cat population numbers ranged between 23.4–40.0 cats/km2 with a minimum of 55 identified as resident. They were not randomly distributed in the study area, with spacing patterns being related to resource availability. Home range area and core distribution of eight radio-collared cats were determined over 13 months. Total home range areas were relatively small, with considerable overlap between them. Home ranges were clustered in areas with permanent feeding stations and these were also within the cats’ core ranges. Supplemental food resources appear to have a major influence on numbers, home and core range area, and behavior of cats. It is clear that cat densities grow to high levels with reliable and abundant food supply and only ad hoc sterilization. This has implications for their management in the HCC urban conservancy.

A Review of Feral Cat Eradication on Islands

Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB

Available Online

Alonso, J.

Donlan, C.J.

Martin, A.

Nogales, M.

Puerta, B.

Tershy, B.R.

Veitch, D.

Wood, B.

Feral cats are directly responsible for a large percentage of global extinctions, particularly on islands. We reviewed feral cat eradication programs with the intent of providing information for future island conservation actions. Most insular cat introductions date from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, whereas successful eradication programs have been carried out in the last 30 years, most in the last decade.

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