Tasmanian Devils Benefit from Feral Cat Trapping

Laurissa Smith wrote this article.

The topic is pests.

It was published on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 8:13 am.

More Tasmanian devils are being trapped, which means their numbers are increasing.

Here is a short summary:

Tasmanian devil numbers are improving near the Tamar River in the north of the state.

A group of volunteers has been trapping feral cats for five years, which has helped native animals and birds in the area.

What happens next?

The volunteers think their trapping program can be used in other areas where feral cats are hurting native wildlife.

A farmer named Greg Squires had a problem with feral cats on his farm.

His farm is near the mouth of the Tamar River, about 50 kilometers northwest of Launceston.

The area is home to many native species, including the hooded plover, Tasmanian devils, and eastern barred bandicoot.

Greg Squires said that if you have 10 cats, they eat about a tonne of food.

Volunteers have been trapping feral cats on farms and public reserves since 2019.

Feral cats also spread diseases to humans and livestock.

They can carry a disease that causes abortions in sheep.

Greg Squires knew he couldn't trap all the cats by himself.

So, he asked for help from the West Tamar Landcare volunteers.

They worked with the government and local communities to develop a program to trap feral cats.

The program targeted cats that live away from people.

Greg Squires asked his local Landcare group to help trap feral cats on his farm.

For a few years, traps were set in remote locations and checked daily.

The traps were set in areas like Greens Beach and Badger Head.

This year, they caught 13 cats.

Some volunteers are involved in the feral cat trapping program.

Tasmanian devil numbers are growing.

Feral cats outnumber some bird species, but conservationists are hopeful.

The traps have caught cats, but also native wildlife like Tasmanian devils.

The native animals are attracted to the bait inside the cages.

The volunteers caught and released 56 Tasmanian devils.

The devils that were trapped were healthy and free of disease.

This is a significant increase from five years ago.

As the cat population decreased, the devil population increased.

The devils may be able to control the cat population by eating their kittens.

A disease has been hurting Tasmanian devils, but researchers are optimistic.

The devils that were trapped were in good health, with no sign of disease.

The volunteers are pleased with the results and think it's encouraging for the recovery of the species.

The trapping program has moved to areas where feral cat numbers are still high.

The reserve behind Greens Beach used to have many feral cats.

Removing feral cats permanently is the goal.

The volunteers will continue to trap feral cats as needed.

Scientific research is being done to help control the feral cat population.

The CSIRO is creating a database of feral cats and exploring gene drive technology.

This technology can determine the sex of the offspring and reduce the number of animals that can reproduce.

The CSIRO didn't have many samples from northern Tasmania, but now they do.

The samples will help the CSIRO understand the genetic profiles of the feral cats.

If the cats can only breed male kittens, it could lead to their extinction.

The volunteers' work is significant and will help the CSIRO.

Greg Squires and Peter Voller are working together to trap feral cats.

Feral cats are attracted to the same bait as native species.

For Greg Squires, the trapping program means his son can enjoy the native wildlife.

Now, there are sea eagles and wedge-tails on the farm.

Greg Squires wants to pass on the native wildlife to the next generation.

More news from Tasmania.

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Published on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 8:13 am.

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