Improving our understanding of the role of predators, specifically feral cats, in small mammal declines across northern Australia is critical to the development of effective management responses.
Building on a project commenced under NERP in 2013, the responses of small mammal populations to predator (cat and dingo/dog) exclusion were experimentally evaluated at sets of paired fenced and unfenced sites in Kakadu National Park. The densities of cats and dingoes were estimated in the surrounding landscape using camera traps, and their prey evaluated through scat analysis. The findings are informing management responses to address mammal declines in Kakadu National Park specifically and northern Australia more generally.
- Recommendations on the future of the exclosure experiment, and the longer term use of the exclosure assets within Kakadu National Park;
- Publications on the effect of predator exclusion on native mammals in Kakadu National Park, as well as comparative diets of feral cats and dingoes;
- Illustrated booklets/posters on the findings of the project disseminated to land managers and Indigenous groups;
- Presentations to NRM forums and other public events.
This research took place in Kakadu National Park.
Graeme Gillespie (Project Leader, NT DLRM)
Feral cat exclosures boost reptile populations
Collaborative research between the Northern Territory Government, the Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub, the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and Parks Australia […]
Feral cats in Kakadu
Small and medium-sized native mammals have suffered severe declines across much of northern Australia, including within protected areas such as […]
Mammals on the menu for feral cats
There has been a dramatic decline of native animals across northern Australia over the past few decades, even in conservation […]
Assisting monitoring and management in Kakadu
Northern Hub and Threatened Species Recovery Hub researchers have contributed their expert ecological knowledge towards the development of Kakadu National […]
Monitoring the secret lives of Kakadu's feral cats
Results from a predator exclusion experiment show the devastating impacts of feral cats on northern Australia’s wildlife are far broader […]
Feral cats in the spotlight
A predator exclusion experiment in Kakadu National Park has been extended to allow for more comprehensive results. The NAER Hub […]
