Australia's cat crisis: Radical measures to save wildlife

Up to five million animals—mammals, reptiles, birds—are killed daily by feral house cats in Australia. These four-legged predators are now facing the threat of being culled.

Australia is declaring war on cats. Although it may sound far-fetched, the problem is quite serious. Feral house cats kill approximately 1.5 billion animals annually in the Land of Kangaroos, warns the Department of Environment and National Heritage of New South Wales.

The authorities of New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia, have appointed a team of five hunters to address the problem posed by these small killers. The group will search national parks for feral cats to cull.

Cats were introduced to the Land of Kangaroos by Europeans over 200 years ago. Since then, they have contributed to the extinction of at least 25 native Australian animal species. The past few years have provided exceptionally favorable conditions for cats to breed uncontrollably. While completely eradicating these pests is impossible, maintaining their population at a low level is essential for native wildlife to thrive.

The formation of a wild cat hunting team is unprecedented in Australian history, highlighting the seriousness with which officials are approaching the issue. Estimates suggest there are 6.3 million feral cats roaming the Land of Kangaroos. Hunters will target these animals for two years in national parks, and if successful, the program could expand to other areas of the country.

Expert marksmen are not the only resource being used to combat feral cats. Many parks have implemented camera traps to detect areas frequented by these predators. Even technologies utilizing artificial intelligence have been enlisted in the war against the cat population. This includes a device called the "Felixer". How does it work? The AI software identifies a cat and then shoots a toxic gel at the feline. The cat ingests a lethal dose of poison by licking itself, ultimately resulting in its death. The manufacturer guarantees a 99.5% effectiveness rate for this weapon.