The Feral Cat Taskforce is an advisory and coordinating group supporting action to reduce the impact of feral cats on our native wildlife. It provides information and support to the Threatened Species Commissioner, the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and other members on best practice feral cat management.
The Taskforce was established in 2015 and is chaired by the Threatened Species Commissioner.
Feral cats pose a significant threat to many nationally listed threatened species. They predate on native species, spread diseases and reduce viable habitat for species most at risk. They are a threat to more than 120 nationally listed threatened species and have been implicated in 28 mammal extinctions.
The Taskforce works to support best practice management of feral cats by:
- Linking initiatives, innovations and progress on managing feral cat threats;
- Building partnership and national cooperation on feral cat management;
- Agreeing on consistent messaging and communications activities;
- Informing government policy, planning and investment on strategic feral cat management;
- Informing research priorities; and
- Providing clear and accessible data, monitoring and public reports on feral cat management activity.
The Taskforce’s work is framed by Australian Government policy including the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 key actions and targets on feral cats, and the Threat abatement plan for predation by feral cats.
Feral Cat Taskforce Members
Members of the Taskforce are representatives from key organisations involved in improving feral cat management for threatened species recovery and biodiversity outcomes. Membership is by invitation of the Chair. Guests and observers may be invited to attend meetings at the invitation of the Chair. The Taskforce meets twice a year or as required by the Chair.
Chair
- Australian Government - Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Threatened Species Commissioner
Members
- Australian Government
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Parks Australia
- Department of Defence
- Australian Capital Territory Government - Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
- New South Wales Government - Department of Planning and Environment
- Northern Territory Government - Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security
- Queensland Government - Department of Environment and Science
- South Australian Government - Department of Environment and Water
- Tasmanian Government - Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
- Victorian Government - Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- Western Australian Government - Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Australian Local Government Association
- Kimberley Land Council
- National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator
- Western Australian Feral Cat Working Group
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions
- National Environmental Science Program - Resilient Landscapes Hub
- Thylation
- Invited Scientists
- NRM Regions Australia
- Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals
- Veterinary expertise - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- Invasive Species Council
- Zoos Victoria
Secretariat
- Australian Government - Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Communiqué
Feral Cat Taskforce meeting 13 communiqué (PDF 218 KB)
Feral Cat Taskforce meeting 13 communiqué (DOCX 222 KB)