The significance of landholder gender and previous knowledge of control methods for effective feral cat (Felis catus) management in south-eastern Australia

ABSTRACT

Invasive animals, such as feral cats, are considered non-threatening by some social groups due to their similarity to companion animals, and this can pose a threat to the success of invasive species management through lack of support. Feral cat management is undertaken across southern Australia, and it is therefore important to determine the social factors that influence levels of support for different control measures amongst stakeholders. In this study, we use a landholder questionnaire to assess acceptance of feral cat control methods on properties on Kangaroo Island, South Australia and near to the Grampians National Park in western Victoria. We found that differences in opinion between genders and levels of previous knowledge of feral cat management methods influenced the likelihood that landholders would allow the application of particular methods on their properties, and that men were more likely to accept all available cat control methods than women. Management authorities are recommended to tailor messages across genders in a way that introduces the facts surrounding both feral cat impacts and management programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Invasive species
• public relations
• science communication
• community engagement
• pest management
• natural resource management

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Kangaroo Island Feral Cat Eradication Committee, the Kangaroo Island Natural Resource Management team, and Parks Victoria for their involvement in the project, and for providing information and input necessary to make the study a success.

Author’s Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation was performed by Brooke P. Deak, Bertram Ostendorf, David A. Taggart, David E. Peacock, and Douglas K. Bardsley. Data collection, data analysis and the first draft of the manuscript was written by Brooke P. Deak, and all other authors provided supervision and edits, commenting on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Availability of Data and Material

All data and materials support published claims and comply with field standards. Due to the nature of the raw data, it will not be made available for use.

Code Availability

All code supports published claims and complies with field standards. Due to the nature of the study, the R code will not be made available for use.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Geolocation Information

Adelaide, South Australia

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by a University of Adelaide Faculty of Sciences Scholarship.

Notes on contributors

Brooke P. Deak

Brooke P. Deak is a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide. Her research primarily focuses on investigating the social aspects of feral cat management and how general public perceptions, interests and communication can influence feral cat management regionally as well as globally. Twitter: @Deakology

Bertram Ostendorf

Bertram Ostendorf is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Adelaide. He specialises in GIS, spatial simulation modelling and spatial decision support, and uses these tools to examine and support evidence-based decision making in natural resource management.

Douglas K. Bardsley

Douglas K. Bardsley is an Associate Professor in Geography, Environment and Population within the School of Social Sciences at the University of Adelaide. With over 20 years of experience as a social geographer, Dr. Bardsley’s research interests include environmental and agricultural risk assessment, links between conservation and development, and education for sustainable development.

David A. Taggart

David A. Taggart is an Affiliate Associate Professor in Wildlife Biology and Conservation Research within the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide and founding member of the FAUNA Research Alliance, a wildlife NGO based in Australia. Dr. Taggart’s research interests include the breeding, conservation and reintroduction biology of a variety of marsupial species; spatial distribution, genetics and abundance studies of Australian fauna, and ecosystem and wildlife management.

David E. Peacock

David E. Peacock is an Adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide and is also the owner and operator of Peacock Bio-Science in South Australia. With over 30 years’ experience in conservation and pest management, his main research interests include invasive species management, especially using biological control agents for the protection and reintroduction of Australian wildlife.