NZ expert to help scientists eradicate feral cats

7/4/93

A New Zealand expert on feral animals has flown to the Montebello Islands, off the Pilbara coast, to help Western Australian scientists eradicate feral cats.

Environment Minister Kevin Minson said Dick Veitch flew to the Montebello Islands this week with experts from the Department of Conservation and Land Management.

Mr Minson said Mr Veitch had worked with the New Zealand Wildlife Service and Department of Conservation for 30 years and had been involved with many habitat rehabilitation and threatened species management programs.

New Zealand had many feral animals which had greatly affected its native species, particularly birds.

Mr Minson said that as part of its conservation program, New Zealand's Department of Conservation had removed feral species such as Australian possums, rats, stoats and cats, from islands, facilitating the introduction and management of endangered species.

"One of their projects involved introducing the endangered kakapo - a large, flightless parrot - to the 3,000 hectare Little Barrier Island near Auckland, after removing feral cats," Mr Minson said.

"The cat program on Little Barrier Island took three years, but the experience they gained will allow similar programs to finish faster than this."

Mr Minson said the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service had provided CALM with funding to control cats on the Montebello Islands.

He said CALM was planning to remove feral cats and black rats from the Montebellos and then re-introduce golden bandicoots and spectacled hare wallabies.

"Both species occurred on the Montebellos until cats became established - probably from pearling luggers or shipwrecks - late last century," the Minister said.

"CALM has a lot of experience in controlling rats on islands and foxes elsewhere, but little experience in cat control.

"The department's researchers are pleased to be obtaining advice from a world expert on the subject."

Mr Veitch's visit to the Montebellos is being sponsored by Hadson Energy Pty Ltd which operates a nearby offshore oil field.

Mr Veitch has also met with CALM and Agriculture Protection Board staff in Perth.

Media contact: Diana Callander 222 9595