Comments on: Feral predators – ‘super’ cats, foxes and dingoes http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/ Conservation research... with bite Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:58:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Corey Bradshaw http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-716 Corey Bradshaw Tue, 28 Oct 2008 02:13:19 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-716 See also post from 26 Oct 2008 on 'invasion meltdown' http://conservationbytes.com/2008/10/26/classics-invasion-meltdown/ CJA Bradshaw See also post from 26 Oct 2008 on ‘invasion meltdown’

http://conservationbytes.com/2008/10/26/classics-invasion-meltdown/

CJA Bradshaw

]]> By: Corey Bradshaw http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-69 Corey Bradshaw Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:41:06 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-69 See related discussion <a href="http://bravenewclimate.com/2008/08/14/will-global-warming-cause-a-mass-extinction-event/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. See related discussion here.

]]> By: Corey Bradshaw http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-66 Corey Bradshaw Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:11:43 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-66 Post from <a href="http://feral.typepad.com" rel="nofollow">Feral Thoughts</a> - <a href="http://feral.typepad.com/feral_thoughts/2008/08/savannah-cats-b.html" rel="nofollow">Savannah Cats banned from Australia</a> <blockquote>Brilliant news today with the announcement by Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, that Savannah Cats will not be allowed into Australia. The Minister has used his powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to amend the definition of domestic cat to rule out cats with genes from the Serval. Good on him. I'm not sure of the details yet, but that should be enough to discourage others contemplating bringing exotic "pets" with wild genes into the country to think again. The potential cost to Australia's environment is simply too high. Apparently, the Department considered 549 submissions, and 526 of these supported a ban - that's an extraordinary response to a wildlife issue. It shows people value our unique environment and don't want it put at further risk.</blockquote> Post from Feral Thoughts – Savannah Cats banned from Australia

Brilliant news today with the announcement by Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, that Savannah Cats will not be allowed into Australia.

The Minister has used his powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to amend the definition of domestic cat to rule out cats with genes from the Serval. Good on him. I’m not sure of the details yet, but that should be enough to discourage others contemplating bringing exotic “pets” with wild genes into the country to think again. The potential cost to Australia’s environment is simply too high.

Apparently, the Department considered 549 submissions, and 526 of these supported a ban – that’s an extraordinary response to a wildlife issue. It shows people value our unique environment and don’t want it put at further risk.

]]> By: Corey Bradshaw http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-65 Corey Bradshaw Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:02:02 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-65 Hi Tony, Let's hope if similar (analogous) proposals arise, we can also kill them before they take any shape. Sue? Bloody hell - we should evaluate the economic implications of cats already and sue the importers! As for Irwin, yes, I'm afraid that's the evil of it. Did he simply appeal to the 10-year-old psyche (no offence intended), or did he change behaviours for the better? My argument is in support of the former (as is Brockington's). CJA Bradshaw Hi Tony,

Let’s hope if similar (analogous) proposals arise, we can also kill them before they take any shape. Sue? Bloody hell – we should evaluate the economic implications of cats already and sue the importers!

As for Irwin, yes, I’m afraid that’s the evil of it. Did he simply appeal to the 10-year-old psyche (no offence intended), or did he change behaviours for the better? My argument is in support of the former (as is Brockington’s).

CJA Bradshaw

]]> By: Tony Peacock http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-64 Tony Peacock Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:19:25 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-64 Hi Paula and Corey, The Minister did act quickly and banned them. The importers are saying they'll sue, but who knows? He only banned Savannah cats - it is a very specific regulation, so in theory other hybrid cat breeds and hybrid dog breeds are technically legal. One assumes no one would be silly enough to pursue import of wolf-dogs or similar, but we do have to keep and eye out. I think your Irwin discussion is fascinating. Our CRC is paying for research on sustainable harvest of roos, but my 10 year old Sam is absolutely passionate about Steve Irwin (his birthday present is a trip to Australia Zoo next week). I think I come out on the side that the inspiration outweighs any difference of opinion. cheers Hi Paula and Corey,

The Minister did act quickly and banned them. The importers are saying they’ll sue, but who knows?

He only banned Savannah cats – it is a very specific regulation, so in theory other hybrid cat breeds and hybrid dog breeds are technically legal. One assumes no one would be silly enough to pursue import of wolf-dogs or similar, but we do have to keep and eye out.

I think your Irwin discussion is fascinating. Our CRC is paying for research on sustainable harvest of roos, but my 10 year old Sam is absolutely passionate about Steve Irwin (his birthday present is a trip to Australia Zoo next week). I think I come out on the side that the inspiration outweighs any difference of opinion.

cheers

]]> By: Paula Kahumbu http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-59 Paula Kahumbu Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:11:16 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-59 Oh, just seen on Feral thoughts that the importation was banned on Aug 3rd. Three cheers for Australia. Oh, just seen on Feral thoughts that the importation was banned on Aug 3rd. Three cheers for Australia.

]]> By: Corey Bradshaw http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-58 Corey Bradshaw Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:04:12 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-58 Hi Paula, My understanding is that the proposal was nipped in the bud - too many people complained of the dangers. I believe our ex-<a href="http://www.midnightoil.com/" rel="nofollow">Midnight Oil</a> front man, <a href="http://www.petergarrett.com.au" rel="nofollow">Peter Garrett</a> (current Minister for the Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts) listened to good sense and <a href="http://www.petergarrett.com.au/594.aspx" rel="nofollow">banned the proposal</a>. Australian marsupials from Cape York to Cape Leeuwin made a collective sigh of relief. Hi Paula,

My understanding is that the proposal was nipped in the bud – too many people complained of the dangers. I believe our ex-Midnight Oil front man, Peter Garrett (current Minister for the Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts) listened to good sense and banned the proposal. Australian marsupials from Cape York to Cape Leeuwin made a collective sigh of relief.

]]> By: Paula Kahumbu http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-55 Paula Kahumbu Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:49:53 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-55 Hi Corey, I wrote about this madness on my blog a while ago - as an Aussie can't you do something a bit more dramatic to stop them? I find myself musing about the possibilities- the reason people are going for these exotic crosses is probably because they can't get the real thing right? A real wild cat? They say that the trade in exotic pets is second only in value to the arms trade (worth more than drugs man!). If the cost of a domestic serval or other wild cat could contribute to conservation would we be all for it? We are such beggars - I bet we would :( Hi Corey, I wrote about this madness on my blog a while ago – as an Aussie can’t you do something a bit more dramatic to stop them? I find myself musing about the possibilities- the reason people are going for these exotic crosses is probably because they can’t get the real thing right? A real wild cat? They say that the trade in exotic pets is second only in value to the arms trade (worth more than drugs man!). If the cost of a domestic serval or other wild cat could contribute to conservation would we be all for it? We are such beggars – I bet we would :(

]]> By: coreybradshaw http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-4 coreybradshaw Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:55:32 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-4 Thank you, Tony. Nice site yourself. I've signed the petition (against, of course) and shake my head at the stupidity of our compatriots who have signed the 'for' petition. I'll comment on the DRA too. CJA Bradshaw Thank you, Tony. Nice site yourself. I’ve signed the petition (against, of course) and shake my head at the stupidity of our compatriots who have signed the ‘for’ petition. I’ll comment on the DRA too.

CJA Bradshaw

]]> By: Tony Peacock http://conservationbytes.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-3 Tony Peacock Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:28:17 +0000 http://coreybradshaw.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/feral-predators/#comment-3 Hi Corey -thanks for pointing this out. There is the opportunity to comment on a Draft Risk Assessment from DEWHA before 17 July. You can follow the links from my blog at www.feral.typepad.com The same loophole leaves it open for wolf-dog and coyote-dog hybrids to enter - being classified "domestic" after only five generations. We want to have the whole system revised. I think it will be hard for the Savannah Cats to enter now that the Risk Assessment has been issued - it is very damning. Nice site. Tony Peacock Hi Corey -thanks for pointing this out. There is the opportunity to comment on a Draft Risk Assessment from DEWHA before 17 July. You can follow the links from my blog at http://www.feral.typepad.com

The same loophole leaves it open for wolf-dog and coyote-dog hybrids to enter – being classified “domestic” after only five generations. We want to have the whole system revised. I think it will be hard for the Savannah Cats to enter now that the Risk Assessment has been issued – it is very damning.

Nice site.

Tony Peacock

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