Feral Cats in the Subtropics of Australia—The Shamrock Station Irrigation Project

Environmental damage caused by the intensification of agriculture may be compensated implementing conservation projects directed towards reducing threatening processes and conserving threatened native species. In Australia, feral cats (Felis catus) have been a ubiquitous process to Australian fauna since European colonisation. On Shamrock Station, in north-west Western Argyle Cattle Company has proposed intensifying through installation irrigation pivots. There is concern that irrigating land storing agricultural produce indirectly increase abundance red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on property, which turn negatively impact bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) also inhabit property. Feral cat control required under approved management plan for this project mitigate potential impact. Our baseline study revealed high density Station (0.87 km−2) dietary data suggest current mammal assemblage depauperate. Given area, effective introduced predator likely confer benefits bilby other species susceptible predation. We recommend ongoing monitoring both determine if there benefit around areas intensive associated cattle production.