Predator management program protects native wildlife and builds ranger skills
A predator management program at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park has removed 20 feral cats and a fox from the park and installed a remote monitoring network to support future trapping operations.
The program aimed to reduce the number of feral cats in the park and monitor their distribution and movements.
Monitoring confirmed that cats are active throughout the landscape, posing a significant risk to the threatened tjakuṟa (great desert skink) and other native species.
Analysis of stomach contents from trapped cats highlighted the impact of these introduced predators, revealing diets that included birds, rodents, reptiles and insects.
Rangers also caught 23 rabbits and a fox, and captured and released 6 dingoes and one Australian bustard (a large ground-dwelling bird) that found their way into the traps.
A key component of the project was the deployment of a Celium remote trap-monitoring network. This technology provides real-time alerts when traps are triggered, allowing rangers to respond more quickly and reducing the need for daily trap inspections.
The operation generated important insights to inform future management efforts. Rangers found that roast chicken was the most effective bait for feral cats, while feathers scattered around traps proved to be the most successful lure. For rabbits, pineapple outperformed other bait options, with lettuce wilting quickly and carrots drying out in the arid conditions.
The knowledge gained through the program will help guide future predator management activities and strengthen evidence-based conservation efforts across Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, supporting the protection of native species for generations to come.
