Australia declared "war" on feral cats because they are a devastating invasive species, killing billions of native animals annually (around 2 billion birds, reptiles, and mammals), driving many native species towards extinction, and causing significant ecological and economic damage. The government launched an action plan to manage and eradicate these "ruthless killers" through new baiting, trapping, and technology to protect unique Australian wildlife like bilbies and numbats from predators that evolved without them.
In July 2015, the Australian government announced a “war on feral cats,“ with the intention of killing over two million felines by 2020. The threat abatement plan to enforce this policy includes a mix of shooting, trapping and a reputedly “humane” poison.
Cats probably arrived in Australia as pets of European settlers and were later deliberately introduced in an attempt to control rabbits and rodents. Cats now occupy 99% of Australia, including many offshore islands. Feral cats need large amounts of fresh meat to survive and reproduce.
The main reason that most Australians support cat confinement is the nuisance that roaming cats create in the suburbs. Nighttime caterwauling, urine spraying and using the yard as a toilet. This isn't just unpleasant, it can also spread diseases like toxoplasmosis.
The Emu War (or Great Emu War) was a nuisance wildlife management military operation undertaken in Australia in late 1932 to address public concern over the number of emus, large flightless birds indigenous to Australia, said to have been destroying crops in the Campion district within the Wheatbelt of Western ...
After the Australian Army lost to the Emus, they decided to wage war a second time. This time they were aware of the tactics used by the Emu Army and were more successful in casualties against the Emus. Despite this, even though the Emus took heavy damage, they still managed to win.
Emus are surprisingly resilient to bullets, capable of taking multiple hits to the body, with reports from the 1932 "Emu War" suggesting they could absorb a dozen or more rounds without immediate incapacitation, leading soldiers to describe them as having the "invulnerability of tanks". The military's inefficient use of ammunition (around 10 rounds per confirmed kill) highlighted their ability to absorb damage and their speed/agility, with farmers later finding birds with bullet wounds that didn't stop them.
New Cat? Set Realistic Expectations! You can expect that it will take your cat some time to get used to the new routines and environment. The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your cat to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months.
UQ School of Earth and Environmental Sciences researcher Stephen Kearney said people might be surprised by the list. “Rabbits are our most destructive invasive species, having an impact on more than 300 species, including both threatened plants and animals,” Mr Kearney said.
The United States leads in cat ownership with 73.8 million cats, followed by the United Kingdom with approximately 10.9 million cats. It also ranges freely as a feral cat, avoiding human contact.
existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild. having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication. a pack of feral dogs roaming the woods. of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal.
The number of cats you can legally own in Australia varies by state and even by local council. Most states allow 2–3 cats without a permit; owning more often requires registration or approval. Local council laws may override state rules—always check both.
When a cat licks you, it is usually a sign of love and trust. Cats use grooming to bond with other cats and their human companions. By licking you, your cat is saying that you are part of its family. Licking can also be soothing for cats, much like how a human might find comfort in a hug.
Cats were seen as a place of solace for soldiers and provided them with a small piece of calm amidst the constant of war surrounding them. It has been reported that around half a million cats were sent to serve in the trenches!
Overall, feral cats in Australia eat about 2 billion reptiles, birds, frogs and mammals each year, and over a billion invertebrates. Mammals are the most commonly eaten of these prey items, for all types of cat (pets and ferals), with more than one billion mammals killed by cats in Australia every year.
In Australian folklore, the Blue Mountains panther or Lithgow panther is a big cat said to exist by residents of the Blue Mountains area, west of Sydney, Australia, for over a century.
But the deadliest non-human animal in Australia is none of these. It's not even a native Australian animal at all. The animal involved in the most deaths in Australia is: the humble horse, according to a report from the National Coronial Information System.
A sample of these prohibited mammals include: foxes • squirrels • ferrets/polecats/stoats • rabbits • hamsters • monkeys/marmosets • gerbils • weasels • dingoes. deer (farmed species as long as these deer are kept within a deer-proof enclosure). All other exotic mammals are prohibited.
The mosquito is the world's most dangerous animal because it transmits deadly diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika, causing an estimated 725,000 to over 700,000 human deaths annually, far more than any other creature. While fearsome animals like sharks and lions kill fewer people, mosquitoes act as vectors for devastating illnesses, making them the deadliest by far.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often progressing until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart muscle disease, both often showing few symptoms until advanced stages, along with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver), leading to sudden illness or organ failure if undetected. Early detection through regular vet check-ups, blood tests, and monitoring for subtle changes like increased thirst/urination, weight loss, or hiding is crucial for managing these common, often hidden, feline diseases, says this article.
Black Cats and Dogs Have Lower Adoption Rates
Research verifies that black dogs and cats have a lower chance of being adopted. It's a tragic fact that they tend to stay in shelters longer and are more likely to be euthanized due to shelter overcrowding than animals of other colors.
Cat behavior red flags signal potential medical or emotional issues, including sudden changes in eating/drinking, litter box problems, excessive vocalization, increased hiding, aggression, lethargy, or changes in grooming (like overgrooming or stopping). Because cats hide illness well, any significant deviation from their normal routine, such as increased thirst, appetite changes, or unusual hiding, warrants an urgent vet visit to rule out serious underlying conditions like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or pain.
The southern cassowary is arguably one of the most dangerous birds in the world. It has long, sharp claws, can jump up to 2 meters high, and reach speeds of 50 km/h.
WWI saw the use of the 1914 machine gun, which took the Civil War rate of fire and multiplied it by 100 for 400-600 rounds per minute.