Journal articles: 'Feral cats home ranges'

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Apps, P. J. "Home Ranges of Feral Cats on Dassen Island." Journal of Mammalogy 67, no. 1 (February 25, 1986): 199–200. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1381026.

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McGregor, Hugh W., Sarah Legge, Joanne Potts, Menna E. Jones, and Christopher N. Johnson. "Density and home range of feral cats in north-western Australia." Wildlife Research 42, no. 3 (2015): 223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr14180.

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Context Feral cats (Felis catus) pose a significant threat to biodiversity in Australia, and are implicated in current declines of small mammals in the savannas of northern Australia. Basic information on population density and ranging behaviour is essential to understand and manage threats from feral cats. Aims In this study, we provide robust estimates of density and home range of feral cats in the central Kimberley region of north-western Australia, and we test whether population density is affected by livestock grazing, small mammal abundance and other environmental factors. Methods Densities were measured at six transects sampled between 2011 and 2013 using arrays of infrared cameras. Cats were individually identified, and densities estimated using spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis. Home range was measured from GPS tracking of 32 cats. Key results Densities were similar across all transects and deployments, with a mean of 0.18 cats km–2 (range = 0.09–0.34 km–2). We found no evidence that population density was related to livestock grazing or abundance of small mammals. Home ranges of males were, on average, 855 ha (±156 ha (95% CI), n = 25), and those of females were half the size at 397 ha (±275 ha (95% CI), n = 7). There was little overlap in ranges of cats of the same sex. Conclusions Compared with elsewhere in Australia outside of semiarid regions, feral cats occur at low density and have large home ranges in the central Kimberley. However, other evidence shows that despite this low density, cats are contributing to declines of small mammal populations across northern Australia. Implications It will be very difficult to reduce these already-sparse populations by direct control. Instead, land-management practices that reduce the impacts of cats on prey should be investigated.

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Molsher, Robyn, Chris Dickman, Alan Newsome, and Warren Müller. "Home ranges of feral cats (Felis catus) in central-western New South Wales, Australia." Wildlife Research 32, no. 7 (2005): 587. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr04093.

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Twenty-one feral cats were radio-tracked using direct sighting and triangulation techniques (amassing 730 location fixes) during winter in an agricultural landscape in central-western New South Wales. Factors affecting home-range size, home-range overlap and habitat use were assessed. Mean home-range size was 248 ha (s.e. = 34.9, n = 15 cats, 598 location fixes). Home-range size and habitat use were not influenced by sex or age of adult cats, prey abundance or time of day. However, cat weight significantly influenced range size, with heavier cats having larger ranges than smaller cats. Although the cats are apparently solitary, their home ranges overlapped considerably, particularly between young adults and old adult cats. Cats were active both by day and night and did not occupy permanent dens. Home ranges encompassed mixed habitat types that provided both shelter and prey. Open woodland and open forest were the main habitat types covered by home ranges, but within these areas cats showed a preference for grassland, where rabbits were more abundant. The results recorded in this study indicate that cat-control programs should concentrate in mixed habitat areas, where both shelter and food are available, and over widely dispersed areas. The absence of group living suggests that the effectiveness of virally vectored fertility or biological control agents would be limited.

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M. Goltz, Daniel, Steven C. Hess, Kevin W. Brinck, Paul C. Banko, and Raymond M. Danner. "Home Range and Movements of Feral Cats on Mauna Kea, Hawai?i." Pacific Conservation Biology 14, no. 3 (2008): 177. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc080177.

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Feral cats Felis catus in dry subalpine woodland of Mauna Kea, Hawai?i, live in low density and exhibit some of the largest reported home ranges in the literature. While 95% fixed kernel home range estimates for three females averaged 772 ha, four males averaged 1 418 ha, and one male maintained a home range of 2 050 ha. Mean daily movement rates between sexes overlapped widely and did not differ significantly (P = 0.083). Log-transformed 95% kernel home ranges for males were significantly larger than those of females (P = 0.024), but 25% kernel home ranges for females were larger than those of males (P = 0.017). Moreover, log-transformed home ranges of males were also significantly larger than those of females in this and seven other studies from the Pacific region (P = 0.044). Feral cats present a major threat to endangered Hawaiian birds, but knowledge of their ecology can be used for management by optimizing trap spacing and creating buffer zones around conservation areas.

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Mirmovitch, V. "Spatial Organisation of Urban Feral Cats (Felis Catus) in Jerusalem." Wildlife Research 22, no. 3 (1995): 299. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9950299.

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Feral cats were studied for 10 months in a residential area in Jerusalem and their spatial distribution compared during two 1-month periods, the first in the autumn prior to the mating season and the second during the mating season (winter). Cat locations were recorded by direct observations, and home-range sizes were calculated with the minimum convex polygon method. No significant change in home-range size of adult males or females was found between the 2 periods. Young males expanded their home ranges considerably during their first mating season. Home ranges of males were significantly larger than those of females in both periods (0.56 and 0.30 ha, respectively, in autumn; 0.75 and 0.27 ha in winter). The home ranges of both sexes overlapped considerably with individuals of the same sex. Overlap among home ranges of females indicated a group pattern. High overlap (80%) was found among females that fed from the same set of garbage bins with similar frequency. Lower overlap (20%) was found between individual females that shared only a subset of their food resources and used it with different frequency. It is suggested that the distribution of food patches (garbage bins), the amount of food available and the rate of food renewal determined the cats' spatial organisation.

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Moseby, K. E., J. Stott, and H. Crisp. "Movement patterns of feral predators in an arid environment – implications for control through poison baiting." Wildlife Research 36, no. 5 (2009): 422. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr08098.

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Control of introduced predators is critical to both protection and successful reintroduction of threatened prey species. Efficiency of control is improved if it takes into account habitat use, home range and the activity patterns of the predator. These characteristics were studied in feral cats (Felis catus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in arid South Australia, and results are used to suggest improvements in control methods. In addition, mortality and movement patterns of cats before and after a poison-baiting event were compared. Thirteen cats and four foxes were successfully fitted with GPS data-logger radio-collars and tracked 4-hourly for several months. High intra-specific variation in cat home-range size was recorded, with 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges varying from 0.5 km2 to 132 km2. Cat home-range size was not significantly different from that of foxes, nor was there a significant difference related to sex or age. Cats preferred habitat types that support thicker vegetation cover, including creeklines and sand dunes, whereas foxes preferred sand dunes. Cats used temporary focal points (areas used intensively over short time periods and then vacated) for periods of up to 2 weeks and continually moved throughout their home range. Aerial baiting at a density of 10 baits per km2 was ineffective for cats because similar high mortality rates were recorded for cats in both baited and unbaited areas. Mortality was highest in young male cats. Long-range movements of up to 45 km in 2 days were recorded in male feral cats and movement into the baited zone occurred within 2 days of baiting. Movement patterns of radio-collared animals and inferred bait detection distances were used to suggest optimum baiting densities of ~30 baits per km2 for feral cats and 5 per km2 for foxes. Feral cats exhibited much higher intra-specific variation in activity patterns and home-range size than did foxes, rendering them a potentially difficult species to control by a single method. Control of cats and foxes in arid Australia should target habitats with thick vegetation cover and aerial baiting should ideally occur over areas of several thousand square kilometres because of large home ranges and long-range movements increasing the chance of fast reinvasion. The use of temporary focal points suggested that it may take several days or even weeks for a cat to encounter a fixed trap site within their home range, whereas foxes should encounter them more quickly as they move further each day although they have a similar home-range size. Because of high intra-specific variability in activity patterns and home-range size, control of feral cats in inland Australia may be best achieved through a combination of control techniques.

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Langham, NPE, and RER Porter. "Feral Cats (Felis Catus L.) On New Zealand Farmland. I. Home Range." Wildlife Research 18, no. 6 (1991): 741. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9910741.

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The movements of a population of feral cats (Felis catus) were monitored on New Zealand farmland over three years by means of radiotelemetry. The number of resident males on the 5.2-km2 study area varied from 5 to 9, averaging 1.34 per km2, compared with 10-13 females, averaging 2.19 per km2. The average density over three years was 3.47 cats per km2. The nocturnal home range was significantly larger than the diurnal home range in both sexes. Adult female's home ranges overlapped considerably; adult males tended to occupy exclusive home ranges or territories with little overlap, but including those of several females. Adult males and females that used barns as den sites were mainly nocturnal and had larger home ranges than females denning in vegetation. Females showed no consistent change in home-range size with season, although those breeding in barns had larger home ranges in summer. Adult males had larger territories in summer and winter. Dispersing subadult males had a similar home range to adult males. Death or disappearance of a dominant male allcwed new males to occupy the vacated territory. Two subadults were tracked by day until they became adult and acquired territories within the study area.

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Williamson, Sandra D., Richard van Dongen, Lewis Trotter, Russell Palmer, and Todd P. Robinson. "Fishing for Feral Cats in a Naturally Fragmented Rocky Landscape Using Movement Data." Remote Sensing 13, no. 23 (December 4, 2021): 4925. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs13234925.

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Feral cats are one of the most damaging predators on Earth. They can be found throughout most of Australia’s mainland and many of its larger islands, where they are adaptable predators responsible for the decline and extinction of many species of native fauna. Managing feral cat populations to mitigate their impacts is a conservation priority. Control strategies can be better informed by knowledge of the locations that cats frequent the most. However, this information is rarely captured at the population level and therefore requires modelling based on observations of a sample of individuals. Here, we use movement data from collared feral cats to estimate home range sizes by gender and create species distribution models in the Pilbara bioregion of Western Australia. Home ranges were estimated using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models and split into 50% and 95% utilisation distribution contours. Species distribution models used points intersecting with the 50% utilisation contours and thinned by spacing points 500 m apart to remove sampling bias. Male cat home ranges were between 5 km2 (50% utilisation) and 34 km2 (95% utilisation), which were approximately twice the size of the female cats studied (2–17 km2). Species distribution modelling revealed a preference for low-lying riparian habitats with highly productive vegetation cover and a tendency to avoid newly burnt areas and topographically complex, rocky landscapes. Conservation management can benefit by targeting control effort in preferential habitat.

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D. Smucker, Ty, Gerald D. Lindsey, and Stephen M. Mosher. "Home range and diet of feral cats in Hawaii forests." Pacific Conservation Biology 6, no. 3 (2000): 229. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc000229.

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Feral cat Felis catus home range in a Hawaiian montane wet forest and their diet in three habitats - montane wet forest, subalpine dry forest, and lowland dry forest ? were determined to provide baseline ecological data and to assess potential impacts to native terrestrial fauna. Seven cats (three males and four females) were captured in 624 trap nights. Mean weight of adult cats was 2.85 � 0.27 (SE) kg for males and 1.87 � 0.03 kg for females. Mean diurnal home range using the adaptive kernel method was 5.74 � 2.73 km2 for three males and 2.23 � 0.44 km2 for two females. Daytime locations were always within the montane wet forest with the borders on one or more sides of the home ranges of all cats defined by open grassland pastures. Rodents comprised the majority of the cat diets in all three habitats, with the frequencies of occurrence between 0.88 and 0.91. Bird remains were a regular component of the diet of cats, with montane wet forest having the highest frequency of occurrence (0.68), followed by subalpine dry forest (0.53). and lowland dry forest (0.21).

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Bengsen, Andrew J., John A. Butler, and Pip Masters. "Applying home-range and landscape-use data to design effective feral-cat control programs." Wildlife Research 39, no. 3 (2012): 258. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr11097.

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Context Effective feral-cat (Felis silvestris catus) management requires a sound understanding of the ways cats use their environment. Key characteristics of landscape use by cats vary widely among different regions and different conditions. Aims The present study aimed to describe the most important characteristics of landscape use by feral cats on a large, human-populated island, and to use this information to guide the development of feral-cat management programs. Methods We used GPS tracking collars to record the movements of 13 feral cats at two sites on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, for between 20 and 106 days. We described home-range extents by using local convex hulls, and derived management suggestions from examination of home-range and movement data. Key results Median feral-cat home range was 5.11 km2, and this did not differ between sexes or sites. Cats at a fragmented pastoral site tended to favour woody vegetation over open paddocks, but habitat preferences were less clear at a bushland site. Cats that preferentially used treelines at the pastoral site were almost twice as likely to be recorded close to a tree-line junction as expected. Conclusions Control programs for feral cats on Kangaroo Island should deploy control devices at a density no less than 1.7 devices km–2. Spatial coverage should be as large as practicable or repeated frequently. Infrequent programs covering small areas can be expected only to provide short-term reductions in cat abundance. Implications The information gained from the present study will contribute to the development of strategic sustained management plans for feral cats on Kangaroo Island. The principles from which we inferred management guidelines are applicable to other regions and species.

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Page, RJC, J. Ross, and DH Bennet. "A study of the home ranges, movements and behaviour of the feral cat population at Avonmouth Docks." Wildlife Research 19, no. 3 (1992): 263. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9920263.

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The feral cat population at a 178-ha dockland site was studied for 18 months by direct observation assisted by radio-tracking. Although food appeared to be abundant and widely distributed, the population density was low (10-15 adults km-2). There were few females in the population (7 of 22 cats of known sex) and little breeding success: only one weaned litter was seen during the entire study. Home range sizes were similar for males and females, and were much smaller (15 +/- 17 ha and 10+/-7 ha, respectively) than would be expected from the low density. The cats were mostly solitary rather than group-living, with little contact or social interaction. The implications of the findings for feral cat control are discussed, with particular emphasis on emergency measures for rabies outbreaks.

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Juhasz, Claire-Cécile, Naïs Avargues, Laurence Humeau, David Ringler, Patrick Pinet, Clémence Hollinger, Richard Beaulieu, et al. "Application of genetic and Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture analyses to design adaptive feral cat control in a large inhabited island." NeoBiota 79 (December 23, 2022): 51–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.79.87726.

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Faunas of oceanic islands have a high proportion of endemic species which contribute to the uniqueness of island communities. Island species are particularly naïve and vulnerable to alien predators, such as cats (Felis catus). On large, inhabited islands, where the complete eradication of feral cat populations is not considered feasible, control represents the best management option to lower their detrimental effects on native fauna. The first objective of our study was to investigate population genetics of feral cats of Réunion Island. The second objective was to understand the space use of feral cats established near the breeding colonies of the two endemic and endangered seabirds of Réunion Island, the Barau’s Petrel (Pterodroma baraui) and the Mascarene Petrel (Pseudobulweria aterrima). We evaluated genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow amongst six groups of feral cats located at a maximum of 10 km from known petrel colonies. We also analysed the behaviour and space use of one of these feral cat groups using camera-trap data and Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture (SECR) models. Genetic analyses revealed that feral cats were structured in three genetic clusters explained mostly by the island topography. Two clusters were observed at five sampled sites, suggesting high connectivity amongst these sites. The last cluster was found in only one site, suggesting high isolation. This site was a remote mountain area located in the vicinity of one of the main Barau’s Petrel colonies. The behavioural study was conducted on this isolated feral cat population. Mark recapture analysis suggested that feral cats were present at low density and had large home ranges, which is probably explained by reduced food availability. Finally, we make several recommendations for refining feral cat management programmes on inhabited islands.

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Langham, NPE. "Feral Cats (Felis Catus L.) On New Zealand Farmland. Ii. Seasonal Activity." Wildlife Research 19, no. 6 (1992): 707. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9920707.

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The activity patterns of a resident population of 15 feral cats (Felis catus L.) on New Zealand farmland were investigated from March 1984 until February 1987 by radiotelemetry. Females could be divided into two separate groups: (1) those denning in barns and (2) those denning in the swamp and willows. Females denning in barns were mainly nocturnal except in spring and summer when rearing kittens. Barn cats moved significantly further between dusk and dawn, except in autumn-winter, than those denning in swamp and willows which were active over 24 h. When not breeding, related females occupied the same barn. In both groups, the home range of female relatives overlapped. Males ranged over all habitats, and dominant adult males moved significantly further and had larger home ranges than other males in all seasons, except in summer when they rested, avoiding hot summer days. Only adult males were active during the day in spring and autumn-winter. The importance of a Zeitgeber in synchronising cat activity with that of the prey is examined. The significance of female den site is discussed in relation to proximity of food, predators, social behaviour and male defence.

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Gillies, C., R. Pierce, M. Clout, and C. M. King. "Home ranges of introduced mustelids and feral Cats at Trounson Kauri Park, New Zealand." Mammal Review 30, no. 3-4 (December 2000): 227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2907.2000.0075a.x.

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Hamer, Rowena P., Georgina E. Andersen, Bronwyn A. Hradsky, Shannon N. Troy, Riana Z. Gardiner, Christopher N. Johnson, and Menna E. Jones. "Differing effects of productivity on home-range size and population density of a native and an invasive mammalian carnivore." Wildlife Research 49, no. 2 (December 9, 2021): 158–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr20134.

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Abstract Context Home-range size and population density characteristics are crucial information in the design of effective wildlife management, whether for conservation or control, but can vary widely among populations of the same species. Aims We investigate the influence of site productivity on home-range size and population density for Australian populations of the native, threatened spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and the alien and highly successful feral cat (Felis catus). Methods We use live trapping and fine-scale GPS tracking to determine the home-range size and population density for both species across five sites in Tasmania. Using these data, as well as published estimates for both species from across Australia, we model how these parameters change in response to productivity gradients. We also use the telemetry data to examine the energetic costs of increasing home-range size for both species. Key results For both species, decreasing site productivity correlates with lower population density, and in spotted-tailed quolls and female feral cats, it also correlates with larger home-range sizes. However, the relative magnitude of these changes is different. Feral cats show smaller increases in home-range size but larger decreases in population density relative to spotted-tailed quolls. Our results suggest that these differences may be because increases in home-range size are more costly for feral cats, demonstrated by larger increases in nightly movement for the same increase in home-range area. Conclusions We suggest that knowledge of both home-range size and population density is needed to accurately determine how species respond to habitat productivity, and inform effective management across their geographic range. Implications These results have clear management implications; for example, in our low-rainfall sites, an adult female spotted-tailed quoll requires up to five times the amount of habitat expected on the basis of previous studies, thus dramatically increasing the costs of conservation programs for this threatened native species. Conversely, productivity-driven differences of up to four-fold in feral cat population density would influence the resources required for successful control programs of this invasive species.

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PAGE, R. J. C., J. ROSS, and D. BENNETT. "Home range of feral cats at Avonmouth Docks (United Kingdom)." Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE 12, no. 1 (March 1, 1993): 23–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.20506/rst.12.1.661.

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Cruz, Jennyffer, Chris Woolmore, M. Cecilia Latham, A. David M. Latham, Roger P. Pech, and Dean P. Anderson. "Seasonal and individual variation in selection by feral cats for areas with widespread primary prey and localised alternative prey." Wildlife Research 41, no. 8 (2014): 650. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr14234.

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Context Seasonal and individual variation in predator selection for primary and alternative prey can affect predator–prey dynamics, which can further influence invasive-predator impacts on rare prey. Aims We evaluated individual and seasonal variation in resource selection by feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) for areas with European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) around a breeding colony of endangered black-fronted terns (Chlidonias albostriatus) in the Upper Ohau River, within the Mackenzie Basin of New Zealand. Methods Within a feral cat population subject to localised control (within a 1-km area surrounding the tern colony), we mapped the movements of 17 individuals using GPS collars, and evaluated individual and seasonal variation in third-order resource selection (i.e. within home ranges) by using resource-selection functions with mixed effects. The year was divided into breeding and non-breeding seasons for terns. Key results Three of the eight feral cats monitored during the breeding season used the colony in proportion to availability and one selected it. These four individuals therefore pose a threat to the tern colony despite ongoing predator control. Selection by feral cats for areas with high relative rabbit abundance was not ubiquitous year-round, despite previous research showing that rabbits are their primary prey in the Mackenzie Basin. Conclusions Results suggest that rabbit control around the colony should reduce use by feral cats that select areas with high relative rabbit abundance (less than half the individuals monitored), but is unlikely to alleviate the impacts of those that select areas with low relative rabbit abundance. Hence, predator control is also required to target these individuals. Results thus support the current coupled-control of feral cats and rabbits within a 1-km buffer surrounding the tern colony. Future research should determine what scale of coupled-control yields the greatest benefits to localised prey, such as the tern colony, and whether rabbits aid hyperpredation of terns by feral cats via landscape supplementation. Implications The present study has highlighted the importance of considering seasonal and individual effects in resource selection by predators, and the role of primary prey, when designing management programs to protect rare prey.

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Schroeder, T., M. M. Lewis, A. D. Kilpatrick, and K. E. Moseby. "Dingo interactions with exotic mesopredators: spatiotemporal dynamics in an Australian arid-zone study." Wildlife Research 42, no. 6 (2015): 529. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr15104.

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Context Apex predators occupy the top level of the trophic cascade and often perform regulatory functions in many ecosystems. Their removal has been shown to increase herbivore and mesopredator populations, and ultimately reduce species diversity. In Australia, it has been proposed that the apex predator, the dingo (Canis dingo), has the potential to act as a biological control agent for two introduced mesopredators, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the feral cat (Felis catus). Understanding the mechanisms of interaction among the three species may assist in determining the effectiveness of the dingo as a control agent and the potential benefits to lower-order species. Aims To test the hypotheses that feral cats and foxes attempt to both temporally avoid dingoes and spatially avoid areas of high dingo use. Methods Static and dynamic interaction methodologies based on global positioning system (GPS) telemetry data were applied to test temporal and spatial interactions between the two mesopredators (n = 15) and a dingo pair (n = 2). The experimental behavioural study was conducted in a 37-km2 fenced enclosure located in arid South Australia. Key results The dynamic interaction analysis detected neither attraction nor avoidance between dingoes and cats or foxes at short temporal scales. There was no suggestion of delayed interactions, indicating that dingoes were not actively hunting mesopredators on the basis of olfactory signalling. However, static interaction analysis suggested that, although broad home ranges of cats and foxes overlapped with dingoes, core home ranges were mutually exclusive. This was despite similar habitat preferences among species. Conclusions We found that avoidance patterns were not apparent when testing interactions at short temporal intervals, but were manifested at larger spatial scales. Results support previous work that suggested that dingoes kill mesopredators opportunistically rather than through active hunting. Implications Core home ranges of dingoes may provide refuge areas for small mammals and reptiles, and ultimately benefit threatened prey species by creating mesopredator-free space. However, the potential high temporal variation in core home-range positioning and small size of mutually exclusive areas suggested that further work is required to determine whether these areas provide meaningful sanctuaries for threatened prey.

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Konecny, Michael J. "Home Range and Activity Patterns of Feral House Cats in the Galápagos Islands." Oikos 50, no. 1 (September 1987): 17. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3565397.

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Leo, Brian T., James J. Anderson, Reese Brand Phillips, and Renee R. Ha. "Home Range Estimates of Feral Cats (Felis catus) on Rota Island and Determining Asymptotic Convergence." Pacific Science 70, no. 3 (July 2016): 323–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.2984/70.3.4.

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Tennent, Jaclyn, and Colleen T. Downs. "Abundance and home ranges of feral cats in an urban conservancy where there is supplemental feeding: a case study from South Africa." African Zoology 43, no. 2 (October 2008): 218–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.3377/1562-7020-43.2.218.

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Tennent, Jaclyn, and Colleen T. Downs. "Abundance and home ranges of feral cats in an urban conservancy where there is supplemental feeding: a case study from South Africa." African Zoology 43, no. 2 (October 2008): 218–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15627020.2008.11657238.

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Dilley, Ben J., Stefan Schoombie, Janine Schoombie, and Peter G. Ryan. "‘Scalping’ of albatross fledglings by introduced mice spreads rapidly at Marion Island." Antarctic Science 28, no. 2 (November 2, 2015): 73–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102015000486.

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AbstractHouse mice (Mus musculusL.) were introduced to sub-Antarctic Marion Island more than two centuries ago, and have been the only introduced mammal on the island since 1991 when feral cats were eradicated. The first mouse-injured wandering albatross (Diomedea exulansL.) chick was found in 2003 and since then attacks have continued at a low level affecting <1% of the population. In 2009, the first ‘scalpings’ were detected; sooty albatross (Phoebetria fuscaHilsenberg) fledglings were found with raw wounds on the nape. In 2015, mice attacked large chicks of all three albatross species that fledge in autumn: grey-headed (Thalassarche chrysostomaForster) (at least 102 wounded chicks; 4.6% of fledglings), sooty (n=45, 4.3%) and light-mantled albatross (P. palpebrataForster) (n=1, 4%). Filming at night confirmed that mice were responsible for wounds. Attacks started independently in small pockets all around the island’s 70 km coastline, separated by distances hundreds of times greater than mouse home ranges. The widespread nature of mouse attacks in 2015 on large, well-feathered chicks is alarming and highlights not only Marion Island as a priority island for mouse eradication but also that mice alone may significantly affect threatened seabird species.

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Edwards, G. P., N. De Preu, B. J. Shakeshaft, I. V. Crealy, and R. M. Paltridge. "Home range and movements of male feral cats (Felis catus) in a semiarid woodland environment in central Australia." Austral Ecology 26, no. 1 (February 2001): 93–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.2001.01091.pp.x.

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Edwards, G. P., N. De Preu, B. J. Shakeshaft, I. V. Crealy, and R. M. Paltridge. "Home range and movements of male feral cats (Felis catus) in a semiarid woodland environment in central Australia." Austral Ecology 26, no. 1 (February 2001): 93–101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9993.2001.01091.x.

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Pillay, Kerushka R., Jarryd Streicher, and Colleen T. Downs. "Home range and habitat use of feral cats in an urban mosaic in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa." Urban Ecosystems 21, no. 5 (May 11, 2018): 999–1009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11252-018-0766-6.

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Recio, Mariano R., and Philip J. Seddon. "Understanding determinants of home range behaviour of feral cats as introduced apex predators in insular ecosystems: a spatial approach." Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 67, no. 12 (July 30, 2013): 1971–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-013-1605-7.

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Biró, Z., L. Szemethy, and M. Heltai. "Home range sizes of wildcats (Felis silvestris) and feral domestic cats (Felis silvestris f. catus) in a hilly region of Hungary." Mammalian Biology 69, no. 5 (2004): 302–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1078/1616-5047-00149.

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Moon, Oun-Kyong, Han-soo Lee, In-kyu Kim, Tae-han Kang, Hae-jin Cho, and Dal-ho Kim. "Analysis of the Summer Season Home Range of Domestic Feral Cats (Felis catus) - Focused on the Surroundings of Rural and Suburban Areas." Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 6, no. 3 (September 2013): 391–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.7229/jkn.2013.6.3.391.

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Heiniger, Jaime, Skye F. Cameron, Thomas Madsen, Amanda C. Niehaus, and Robbie S. Wilson. "Demography and spatial requirements of the endangered northern quoll on Groote Eylandt." Wildlife Research 47, no. 3 (2020): 224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr19052.

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Abstract ContextAustralia has experienced the highest number of mammal extinctions of any continent over the past two centuries. Understanding the demography and spatial requirements of populations before declines occur is fundamental to confirm species trajectory, elucidate causes of decline and develop effective management strategies. AimsWe evaluated the demography and spatial requirements of a northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus, population on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. Groote Eylandt is considered a refuge for the species because key threatening processes are absent or limited; cane toads and introduced ungulates are absent, feral cats are infrequently detected and the fire regime is benign compared with mainland Northern Territory. MethodsWe conducted a 4-year capture–mark–recapture study to monitor growth, reproduction and survival of northern quolls within a 128-ha area, and we evaluated spatial requirements by attaching GPS units to both sexes. To assess the status of the Groote Eylandt population, we compared the demographics with existing data from mainland populations. Key resultsThe average density of northern quolls was 0.33ha−1. However, there was a 58% decline in female density, primarily between 2012 and 2013, corresponding with a decrease in female body mass. Females survived and bred in up to 3 years and adult survival rates did not vary among years, suggesting that juvenile recruitment drives population fluctuations. Male quolls were semelparous, with die-off occurring in the months following breeding. The median female and male home ranges were 15.7ha and 128.6ha respectively, and male ranges increased significantly during breeding, with 1616ha being the largest recorded. ConclusionsThe northern quoll population on Groote Eylandt had a higher density, female survival and reproductive success than has been previously recorded on the mainland. However, a marked decline was recorded corresponding with a decrease in female mass, indicating below-average rainfall as the likely cause. ImplicationsGroote Eylandt remains a refuge for the endangered northern quoll. However, even in the absence of key threatening processes, the population has declined markedly, highlighting the impact of environmental fluctuations. Maintaining the ecological integrity of Groote Eylandt is imperative for population recovery, and managing threats on the mainland over appropriate spatial scales is necessary to increase population resilience.

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Stobo-Wilson, Alyson M., Robert Brandle, Christopher N. Johnson, and Menna E. Jones. "Management of invasive mesopredators in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia: effectiveness and implications." Wildlife Research 47, no. 8 (2020): 720. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr19237.

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Abstract ContextSignificant resources have been devoted to the control of introduced mesopredators in Australia. However, the control or removal of one pest species, such as, for example, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), may inadvertently benefit other invasive species, namely feral cats (Felis catus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), potentially jeopardising native-species recovery. AimsTo (1) investigate the impact of a large-scale, long-term fox-baiting program on the abundance of foxes, feral cats and introduced and native prey species in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, and (2) determine the effectiveness of a short time period of cat removal in immediately reducing feral cat abundance where foxes are absent. MethodsWe conducted an initial camera-trap survey in fox-baited and unbaited sites in the Flinders Ranges, to quantify the impact of fox baiting on the relative abundance of foxes, feral cats and their prey. We then conducted a secondary survey in sites where foxes were absent, following an intensive, but short, time period of cat removal, in which 40 cats were shot and killed. Key resultsNo foxes were detected within baited sites, but were frequently detected in unbaited sites. We found a corresponding and significant increase in several native prey species in fox-baited sites where foxes were absent. Feral cats and rabbits were also more frequently detected within baited sites, but fox baiting did not singularly predict the abundance of either species. Rather, feral cats were less abundant in open habitat where foxes were present (unbaited), and rabbits were more abundant within one predominantly open-habitat site, where foxes were absent (fox-baited). We found no effect of short-term cat removal in reducing the local abundance of feral cats. In both camera-trap surveys, feral cat detections were positively associated with rabbits. ConclusionsLong-term fox baiting was effective in fox removal and was associated with a greater abundance of native and introduced prey species in the Flinders Ranges. To continue to recover and conserve regional biodiversity, effective cat control is required. ImplicationsOur study showed fox removal has likely resulted in the local release of rabbits and an associated increase in cats. Because feral cat abundance seemingly fluctuated with rabbits, we suggest rabbit control may provide an alternative and more effective means to reduce local feral cat populations than short-term removal programs.

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Holt, C., and G. Pickles. "Home Range Responses of Feral Goats." Rangeland Journal 18, no. 1 (1996): 144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9960144.

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The variability in size and the extent of the overlap of feral goat home ranges are important considerations when formulating control strategies. Radio telemetry data revealed home range sizes were similar to what was found in other studies performed in pastoral areas. This study confirms the need for a wide ranging cooperative approach, by neighbouring pastoral properties, to feral goat control if all the feral goats using an area are to be targeted. Aerial control activities had little effect on the home ranges of resident feral goats and so can continue to be an effective control tool without causing the reinfestation of previously cleared areas.

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Moller, Henrik, and Nic Alterio. "Home range and spatial organisation of stoats (Mustela erminea), ferrets (Mustela furo) and feral house cats (Felis catus) on coastal grasslands, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand: Implications for yellow‐eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) conservation." New Zealand Journal of Zoology 26, no. 3 (January 1999): 165–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014223.1999.9518186.

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Mitchell, J., W. Dorney, R. Mayer, and J. McIlroy. "Migration of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in rainforests of north Queensland: fact or fiction?" Wildlife Research 36, no. 2 (2009): 110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr06066.

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The Wet Tropics bioregion of north Queensland has been identified as an area of global significance. The world-heritage-listed rainforests have been invaded by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) that are perceived to cause substantial environmental damage. A community perception exists of an annual altitudinal migration of the feral-pig population. The present study describes the movements of 29 feral pigs in relation to altitudinal migration (highland, transitional and lowland areas). Feral pigs were sedentary and stayed within their home range throughout a 4-year study period. No altitudinal migration was detected; pigs moved no more than a mean distance of 1.0 km from the centre of their calculated home ranges. There was no significant difference between the mean (±95% confidence interval) aggregate home ranges for males (8.7 ± 4.3 km2, n = 15) and females (7.2 ± 1.8 km2, n = 14). No difference in home range was detected among the three altitudinal areas: 7.2 ± 2.4 km2 for highland, 6.2 ± 3.9 km2 for transitional and 9.9 ± 5.3 km2 for lowland areas. The aggregate mean home range for all pigs in the present study was 8.0 ± 2.4 km2. The study also assessed the influence seasons had on the home range of eight feral pigs on the rainforest boundary; home ranges did not significantly vary in size between the tropical wet and dry seasons, although the mean home range in the dry season (7.7 ± 6.9 km2) was more than twice the home range in the wet season (2.9 ± 0.8 km2). Heavier pigs tended to have larger home ranges. The results of the present study suggest that feral pigs are sedentary throughout the year so broad-scale control techniques need to be applied over sufficient areas to encompass individual home ranges. Control strategies need a coordinated approach if a long-term reduction in the pig population is to be achieved.

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Hamer, Rowena P., Riana Z. Gardiner, Kirstin M. Proft, Christopher N. Johnson, and Menna E. Jones. "A triple threat: high population density, high foraging intensity and flexible habitat preferences explain high impact of feral cats on prey." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 288, no. 1942 (January 6, 2021): 20201194. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.1194.

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Alien mammalian carnivores have contributed disproportionately to global loss of biodiversity. In Australia, predation by the feral cat and red fox is one of the most significant causes of the decline of native vertebrates. To discover why cats have greater impacts on prey than native predators, we compared the ecology of the feral cat to a marsupial counterpart, the spotted-tailed quoll. Individual prey are 20–200 times more likely to encounter feral cats, because of the combined effects of cats' higher population densities, greater intensity of home-range use and broader habitat preferences. These characteristics also mean that the costs to the prey of adopting anti-predator behaviours against feral cats are likely to be much higher than adopting such behaviours in response to spotted-tailed quolls, due to the reliability and ubiquity of feral cat cues. These results help explain the devastating impacts of cats on wildlife in Australia and other parts of the world.

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Krebs, CJ, AJ Kenney, and GR Singleton. "Movements of Feral House Mice in Agricultural Landscapes." Australian Journal of Zoology 43, no. 3 (1995): 293. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9950293.

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From September 1992 to May 1993 we radio-collared 155 house mice (Mus domesticus) on agricultural fields in southern Queensland to measure movements and to determine social organisation. During the breeding season most individuals were site-attached and home ranges of both sexes overlapped extensively. There was no sign of exclusive space use for breeding individuals. Breeding males had home ranges that were larger than those of breeding females (0.035 ha v. 0.015 ha), and moved about more. After breeding ended, home ranges increased over tenfold in area, and most mice became nomadic and not site-attached.

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King, D. "Home Ranges of Feral Goats in a Pastoral Area in Western Australia." Wildlife Research 19, no. 6 (1992): 643. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9920643.

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Home ranges of feral goats studied by radio-telemetry in a pastoral area in Western Australia were much larger than those found in most other studies. Home ranges of males were larger (ranging from 139.2 to 587.7km*2) than those of females, which ranged from 15.0 to 190.2km*2. Excursions outside the normal (90 percentile) home ranges were common. The home ranges of females were smaller during summer than during winter. Male home ranges were of similar size in both seasons. Group structure and composition was highly variable. Implications of goat movements on management and control programmes are discussed.

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Read, J. L., E. Dagg, and K. E. Moseby. "Prey selectivity by feral cats at central Australian rock-wallaby colonies." Australian Mammalogy 41, no. 1 (2019): 132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am17055.

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Threatened warru, or black-footed rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis MacDonnell Ranges race), populations in northern South Australia continued to decline despite baiting for foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which improved their short-term conservation status elsewhere. To investigate whether feral cats (Felis catus) also represent a risk to warru we compared frequencies of prey occurrence in 103 feral cat and 14 fox stomachs shot near warru colonies in northern South Australia during 2001–17 with measures of prey abundance from pitfall trapping and opportunistic searches. We hypothesise that one fresh adult warru kill and the presence of warru remains in four other cats suggests predation by cats on adult and juvenile warru. Small reptiles and invertebrates were the most frequently recorded prey of cats in summer, whereas rodents and small dasyurids were the most frequent prey items in winter. Small mammals, small snakes and pygopodid lizards were over-represented in the diet of cats compared with estimated encounter frequencies, whereas fast-running dragons, knob-tailed geckoes (Nephrurus) and echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) were not recorded from cat stomachs despite being relatively abundant. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), rodents and fruits were the most frequently recorded items in fox stomachs. This study reinforces that targeted management of feral cat populations should be considered in concert with control of canids in sustainable recovery programs for warru and other cat-vulnerable species.

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Jansen, Jeroen, Hugh McGregor, Geoff Axford, Abbey T. Dean, Sebastien Comte, Chris N. Johnson, Katherine E. Moseby, Robert Brandle, David E. Peacock, and Menna E. Jones. "Long-Distance Movements of Feral Cats in Semi-Arid South Australia and Implications for Conservation Management." Animals 11, no. 11 (October 31, 2021): 3125. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11113125.

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Movements that extend beyond the usual space use of an animal have been documented in a range of species and are particularly prevalent in arid areas. We present long-distance movement data on five feral cats (Felis catus) GPS/VHF-collared during two different research projects in arid and semi-arid Australia. We compare these movements with data from other feral cat studies. Over a study period of three months in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, 4 out of 19 collared cats moved to sites that were 31, 41, 53 and 86 km away. Three of the cats were males, one female; their weight was between 2.1 and 4.1 kg. Two of the cats returned to the area of capture after three and six weeks. During the other study at Arid Recovery, one collared male cat (2.5 kg) was relocated after two years at a distance of 369 km from the area of collar deployment to the relocation area. The movements occurred following three years of record low rainfall. Our results build on the knowledge base of long-distance movements of feral cats reported at arid study sites and support the assertion that landscape-scale cat control programs in arid and semi-arid areas need to be of a sufficiently large scale to avoid rapid reinvasion and to effectively reduce cat density. Locally, cat control strategies need to be adjusted to improve coverage of areas highly used by cats to increase the efficiency of control operations.

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Jensen, Helene Ane, Henrik Meilby, Søren Saxmose Nielsen, and Peter Sandøe. "Movement Patterns of Roaming Companion Cats in Denmark—A Study Based on GPS Tracking." Animals 12, no. 14 (July 7, 2022): 1748. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12141748.

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We studied the roaming patterns of companion cats in Denmark. The movements of 97 cats with outdoor access were traced for about seven days using GPS tracking. Data on the cats were gathered from their owners. The median time cats spent away from their homes was 5 h per day (IQR: 2.5 to 8.8 h), median daily distance moved was 2.4 km (IQR: 1.3 to 3.7 km), and median for 95% BBKDE home range was 5 ha (IQR: 2.9 to 8.5 ha). Cats above seven years of age spent less time away from home, were less active and had a smaller home range than younger cats. Cats with access to nature areas spent more time away from home, were more active and had larger home ranges. Intact male cats spent more time away from home than neutered cats and had larger home ranges as well. Finally, rainfall had an impact on the distance moved by cats: on days without rainfall the cats moved 3.6 km on average (95% CI: 2.8; 4.5 km); and on days with heavy rainfall the cats moved 2.4 km on average (95% CI: 1.6; 3.5 km).

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Haspel, Carol, and Robert E. Calhoon. "Home ranges of free-ranging cats (Felis catus) in Brooklyn, New York." Canadian Journal of Zoology 67, no. 1 (January 1, 1989): 178–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z89-023.

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Home range size is stable among free-ranging cats in Brooklyn, New York. Marked male and female cats had mean home ranges of 2.6 (95% CI, 2.38–2.87) and 1.7 ha (95% CI, 1.57–1.98), respectively, as estimated by the population utilization distribution. Males had significantly larger home ranges, used the perimeter of their ranges more, and had greater variability in home range size than females. Gender differences in body weight accounted for observed differences in home range size; the seeking of estrous females by males could not account for differences in male and female home ranges. The availability of garbage or abandoned buildings, neighborhood, season, or experimental supplementary feeding did not influence home range size.

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Dexter, N. "The Effect of an Intensive Shooting Exercise From a Helicopter on the Behaviour of Surviving Feral Pigs." Wildlife Research 23, no. 4 (1996): 435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9960435.

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The hypothesis that disturbance from a shooting exercise using a helicopter will influence the behaviour of surviving feral pigs, Sus scrofa, was tested on a population of radio-collared feral pigs in north-western New South Wales. No significant differences existed in hourly distance moved by pigs, diel variation in distance moved by pigs, or home-range size of pigs, between a radio-tracking session conducted immediately before a shooting exercise from a helicopter and a radio-tracking session conducted during and after the exercise. The position of the home ranges of feral pigs did not appear to be affected by the shooting exercise, although several radio-collared feral pigs moved into and out of the study area between tracking sessions. Overall, the results suggest that the disturbance caused by shooting has little effect on the behaviour of surviving feral pigs.

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Holden, C., and G. Mutze. "Impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on introduced predators in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia." Wildlife Research 29, no. 6 (2002): 615. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr00101.

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The impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) on the population dynamics and diet of foxes and feral cats was studied in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Populations of both foxes and cats decreased substantially some 6–10 months after the advent of RHD, when rabbit numbers were reduced by 85%. The diet of foxes changed as a result of reduced rabbit numbers, with much less rabbit and more invertebrates and carrion being eaten. The physical condition of foxes showed little change after RHD. The diet of cats did not change markedly, but their physical condition was substantially poorer than before RHD. Total predation on native fauna is considered to have decreased after RHD.

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Marlow, Clayton, Leonard Gagnon, Elena Hovland, and Lynn Irby. "Feral Horse Distribution, Habitat Use and Population Dynamics in Theodore Roosevelt National Park." UW National Parks Service Research Station Annual Reports 14 (January 1, 1990): 123–25. http://dx.doi.org/10.13001/uwnpsrc.1990.2907.

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Description of the ecological niche feral horses fill in Theodore Roosevelt National Park requires information on reproductive rates, home range size, individual and band affinity to home ranges, food and shelter requirements and seasonal diets. Therefore, the initial objectives will be to: 1. identify the number, size and location of home ranges for harem and bachelor stallion bands; 2. describe daily and seasonal movements of bands within identified home ranges; 3. describe the vegetation habitat types and landform types used by horses for mating, foaling, foraging, and resting cover; 4. describe seasonal horse diets; and 5. collect data on sex, age and social hierarchy within respective bands to facilitate estimation of horse population growth rates. Ultimately, this information will be used to accomplish the project goal; integrate horse requirements with those of elk, bison and the Park's vegetation communities to determine the large ungulate carrying capacity of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

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TABOR, ROGER. "The changing life of feral cats (Felis catusL.) at home and abroad." Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 95, no. 2 (February 1989): 151–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1989.tb02309.x.

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B. Phillips, R., B. D. Cooke, K. Campbell, V. Carrion, C. Marouez, and H. L. Snell. "Eradicating Feral Cats to protect Galapagos Land Iguanas: methods and strategies." Pacific Conservation Biology 11, no. 4 (2005): 257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc050257.

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A three-year programme to eradicate Feral Cats Felis catus from the island of Baltra in the Galapagos archipelago achieved good results by initially poisoning with sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) then trapping or shooting the remaining cats. The poisoning campaign removed 90% of the cats, its success being attributable to pre-baiting with unpolsoned baits to accustom cats to eating baits and placing enough baits to ensure that all cats encountered several baits within their home range. This, together with the use of metaclopromide (Pileran) as an anti-emetic, overcame a problem associated with poor retention of 1080 in thawed fish baits that limited the dose available to 1 mg 1080/bait, a quality insufficient to kill large cats. Removal of the remaining cats was delayed by a weather-induced irruption of Black Rats Rattus rattus and House Mice Mus musculus that enabled recruitment of kittens in 2002, but made cats more susceptible to trapping and shooting in 2003 when rodent populations collapsed. Since July 2003 no sign of a cat has been detected on Baltra despite extensive searching and monitoring throughout 2004. As cat abundance has decreased there have been more locally-bred Juvenile iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) seen during annual censuses. However, such recruitment may reflect the increasing maturity and higher fecundity of iguanas repatriated from 1991 onwards rather than being a direct result of reduced cat predation alone. More time is necessary to determine the benefits of reduced cat predation on the Iguana population.

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Caley, Peter. "Movements, Activity Patterns and Habitat Use of Feral Pigs (Sus scrofa) in a Tropical Habitat." Wildlife Research 24, no. 1 (1997): 77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr94075.

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Movements, activity patterns and habitat use of feral pigs were studied in a tropical woodland habitat by radio-telemetry, live-trapping and hunter returns. The mean aggregate home-range size was 33.5 km2 for boars and 24.1 km2 for sows. Feral pigs were rather sedentary, with no tendency to disperse great distances from their initial home ranges. Pigs were most active at night, with peaks of activity in the late afternoon and early morning. Pigs preferentially used the riparian vegetation strip bordering major rivers, and grain crops, when available. The implications for the management of pigs are discussed.

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Lethbridge, Mark R. "Insights into feral goat movement in Australia using dynamic Brownian Bridges for movement analysis." Rangeland Journal 38, no. 4 (2016): 343. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj15024.

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Movement analyses were conducted for 50 goats across southern Australia using GPS satellite collars. A radio or satellite-tracked animal used to direct culling operations is generally called a ‘Judas’ animal. Goats used as ‘Judas’ animals in control operations were compared with non-‘Judas’ goats in the states of South Australia and Victoria, respectively. Their movement in two land systems were also compared. Dynamic Brownian Bridges Movement Models were used to calculate home ranges (95% utilisation areas). Changes in movement behaviour were identified to partition sedentary behaviour from long-distance movement events, defined here as ranging. Eleven goats exhibited ranging behaviour and moved from 9 to 33 km between their home ranges. After partitioning, their home ranges varied from 1.97 to 223.8 km2. In this study in the Southern Australian Mallee regions, non-‘Judas’ goats had significantly smaller home ranges than ‘Judas’ goats. However, no significant differences were found in the ranging distances between non-‘Judas’ goats and ‘Judas’ goats. Understanding these two distinct forms of goat movement is important in the planning and budgeting of removal operations. To demonstrate this a simple goat management decision tool is used to illustrate the biases that can result in the expected hours of removal operations when the assumptions about goat movement are ill-defined.

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Bengsen, Andrew, John Butler, and Pip Masters. "Estimating and indexing feral cat population abundances using camera traps." Wildlife Research 38, no. 8 (2011): 732. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr11134.

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Context The ability to monitor changes in population abundance is critical to the success of pest animal management and research programs. Feral cats (Felis catus) are an important pest animal, but current monitoring techniques have limited sensitivity or are limited in use to particular circumstances or habitats. Recent advances in camera-trapping methods provide the potential to identify individual feral cats, and to use this information to estimate population abundances using capture–mark–recapture (CMR) methods. Aims Here, we use a manipulative study to test whether camera-trapping and CMR methods can be used to estimate feral cat abundances. Methods We established a grid of infrared cameras and lure stations over three pastoral properties on Kangaroo Island, Australia, for 15 days. We then reduced the population abundance with an intensive trapping program and repeated the camera survey. We estimated population abundances using robust design CMR models, and converted abundance estimates to densities using home-range data from GPS tracking. We also calculated relative abundance indices from the same data. Key results The CMR methods produced credible estimates of the change in population abundance, with useful confidence intervals, showing a statistically identifiable population decline from at least 0.7 cats km–2 before trapping down to 0.4 cats km–2 after trapping. The indexing method also showed a statistically identifiable decrease in abundance. Conclusions Camera-trapping and CMR methods can provide a useful method for monitoring changes in the absolute abundance of feral cat populations. Camera-trap data may also be used to produce indices of relative abundance when the assumptions of CMR models cannot be met. Implications These methods are widely applicable. The ability to reliably estimate feral cat abundances allows for more effective management than is generally available.

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Marlow, Clayton, Leonard Gagnon, Elena Hovland, and Lynn Irby. "Feral Horse Distribution, Habitat use and Population Dynamics in Theodore Roosevelt National Park." UW National Parks Service Research Station Annual Reports 13 (January 1, 1989): 149–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.13001/uwnpsrc.1989.2813.

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Description of the ecological niche feral horses fill in Theodore Roosevelt National Park requires information on reproductive rates, home range size, individual and band affinity to home ranges, food and shelter requirements and seasonal diets. Therefore, the identification of individual animals and their social groups or bands was the initial objective of this study.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Feral cats home ranges'

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