Farmers in Favour of Feral Fix

Why did the possum cross the road? To escape the feral cat!

That was the real-world scenario that showed-up on camera trap images recorded under NACC’s new Feral Fix project, in which land managers in the Shire of Northampton are using cage traps and motion sensor cameras on loan from NACC to tackle feral predator management.

The Feral Fix project aims to provide a strategic regional approach to integrated feral animal management by improving community capacity and increasing the number of land managers adopting more coordinated approaches to feral animal management.

Local Northampton farmer, Bob Porter who recently joined NACC’s Feral Fix project has already recorded telling results, including a sequence of photos showing, firstly, a feral cat triggering the motion sensor camera, and then a couple of days later, a possum crossing the same path.

Working true to plan, Bob was then able to set up his cage trap and subsequently catch and dispatch the feral cat.

“We have already trapped four cats in total, two male and two female,” Said Bob. “We caught two with NACC’s large traps and two with smaller traps, all within 25 hectares of remnant bush over a period of about three weeks.”

“There have been no new sightings or tracks, so we believe we have caught the main residents.”

NACC Biodiversity Coordinator Jessica Stingemore said “Most of the land in the Midwest is privately owned – so it’s critical that we work with landholders to help control feral predators on their land,. Even so, it’s an uphill battle.

“We are lucky in the NACC Region to have so many farmers who are passionate about our native plants and animals, and saving them for future generations – because without them, it simply wouldn’t be possible.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Do you have bushland in the Shire of Northampton that needs protection from feral animals? Would you benefit from the use of motion sensor cameras, cage traps, or funds for baiting?

Whether it be on your property, or a local community reserve or creek line, NACC wants to work with communities and land managers to protect natural areas from feral animal impacts.

For more information, or to express an interest in participating in Feral Fix, please contact Jessica Stingemore  jessica.stingemore@nacc.com.au 9938 0106.

This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program, supported by Royalties for Regions.