Oyster Harbour Catchment Group
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Albany and Surrounds Feral Cat Working Group (ASFCWG) Mission Statement “A collaboration of organisations and individuals focusing on the conservation of native wildlife through a coordinated approach to undertaking best-practice feral cat control, addressing the stray cat population issues and promoting responsible pet ownership.” Endorsed by the ASFCWG Feb 2020
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Our project is off and running with a display presented at the famous “sixteen legs” exhibit which had over 150 attendees over the month. This is just the start of infiltrating the information into the community. Our plans are to really hit this hard coming into the new term with events, school visits visiting and chatting with the locals of Manypeaks, Waychinicup, and Two peoples bay to chat about how we can help with any cat issues they might be having, offer solutions to keeping your cat happy at home and listening to the thoughts and suggestions they may have. 
Our first presentation was implemented at Albany Tafe to a small but very attentive group. The Conservation and Land Management class had been doing some camera trapping over the last 5 weeks at Lake Seppings and it was, unfortunately, no surprise to see numerous cats on the footage. Of course, we all know that many a cat is allowed out to wander both day and nighttime but what I found a little sad was that the invasive species, rats, foxes, and cats pretty much outweighed the native species seen.
While many people are trying to do the right thing by keeping their cats enclosed, we still have a way to go.
Cats are such an important part of Australian households and can be very effective at reducing anxiety, depression, and loneliness. I know I like nothing more than having my cat snuggled up safely on my bed when I am feeling under the weather. Protecting them from harm by keeping them indoors not only helps wildlife but is so much better for your cat’s health.
Did you know that indoor cats can live up to four times longer than outdoor cats?
By keeping your cat safe at home, you will:
• Decrease risks of cats getting hurt or dying in accidents
• Prevent them from harming or killing other animals
• Give them a better chance to enjoy a longer, healthier life.
How do we keep our cats happy at home?
We meet all their needs, here are a few hints.
Offer a variety of foods in different ways such as hidden treats and treat balls (cat-friendly vegetation is encouraged).
Cats have different water bowl preferences, have a few options available (cats especially like running water).
Cats do not always like to share or interact; a hidey-hole will act as their safe place to keep them calm and happy. While a lookout spot is good for those cats who prefer to be able to stare down on life's happenings. It’s good to have a mixture of both.
A common misconception is cats only need one litter box, cats prefer a clean area away from feeding and sleeping areas. The general rule is one tray per cat, plus one extra.
As you will have probably noticed, cats love to stretch and scratch their claws everywhere. Best to have various scratching options available. It may save your furniture. 
 
If you would like more information on happy indoor cats have a look at this handy booklet https://safeandhappycats.com.au/ or see https://www.ohcg.org.au/albany-and-surrounds-feral-cat-working-group.html for more hints.
Watch this space for our first event on Threatened species and the threats that cats pose to them” which will hopefully be brought to you in August /September. Email jenni.loveland@ohcg.org.au  if you would like to go on the upcoming event list. 

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 Current project

Education for best-practice cat management to decrease impacts on biodiversity -Protecting Potoroos and their Native Neighbours -Project Summary 2022-2024
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The Two Peoples Bay/Manypeaks/Waychinicup region, a short 35 km northeast of Albany, is a mixed farming area with three major nature reserves and the Waychinicup National Park. This area is highly significant to residents, tourists, the scientific community, and the Minang Traditional Owners. Two famous endemic and threatened fauna species live exclusively in the area, the Gilbert’s Potoroo and Noisy Scrub Bird, as well as more recently the first attempt to re-establish a population of the Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot commenced. (see images below)In addition, there are 10 other threatened fauna species with significant populations in this area including the Australasian Bittern, Western Ringtail Possum and Quokka. Many groups have carried out work to protect these remarkable animals in this area including the Department of Biodiversity and Conservations and Attractions (DBCA), BirdLife WA, the Gilbert’s Potoroo Action Group (GPAG), Friends of the Western Ground Parrot and more.  One of the main threats these animals face is that of feral cats. ​

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Pezoporus flaviventris - Western ground parrot Kyloring Click photo for more information
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Atrichornis clamosus — Noisy Scrub-bird, Tjimiluk Click photo for more information
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Potorous gilbertii - Gilbert's Potoroo - Ngilkat Click photo for more information
The Oyster Harbour Catchment Group with 30 years of natural resource management are very excited to support the Albany and Surrounds Feral Cat Working Group to implement the “Protecting Potoroos and their Neighbours” project. Jenni Loveland, founder of the Albany and Surrounds Feral Cat Working Group has been working since 2019 to educate the community about the best ways to keep pet cats safe and contained, reduce the stray and barn cat population, and encourage landholders to reduce feral cats on rural properties.
The Albany and Surrounds Feral Cat Working Group (ASFCWG) has recently received a grant from State Natural Resource Management to implement a project to value-add to the introduced predator management works currently taking place in the area. The aim is to increase community awareness of this remarkable biodiversity hotspot, focusing on the importance of protecting the 13 threatened species and the damage/impact feral and roaming cats have on the native wildlife population. 

The ASFCWG will fill the role of a community liaison officer working with Two Peoples Bay/Manypeaks/Waychinicup residents, Noongar groups, school children, and the general public to encourage sustainable social change. The role will include fostering the benefits to cats by keeping them safely contained to your property; discovering barriers and opportunities for feral control; providing education to the community about how to protect the special biodiversity of this unique region, and keeping the community updated on the significant investment DBCA, DPIRD and many others have made in protecting native animals and local productivity.
Jenni will be supported in this project by the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group for administrative and logistical assistance DBCA, DPIRD, and for technical information concerning fauna, and Gilberts Potoroo Action Group, Friends of the Western Ground Parrot, South Coast Natural Resource Management, Birdlife WA, and other organisations for advice on the current projects and works being implemented throughout this region.




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Potorous gilbertii - Gilbert's Potoroo - Ngilkat Click photo for more information
Gilberts Potoroo- Potorous gilbertii -  Ngilkat

This little cutie is not very common at all, and many people haven’t even heard of them. So, who is it and where do they live?
There are five types of potoroos recorded in Australia with sadly at least one probably extinct. Our local Potoroo the Gilbert's Potoroo is in great peril with fewer than 100 individuals. It desperately needs our help to survive.
The Gilbert's Potoroo is medium-sized, smaller than a quokka, and can sometimes be mistaken for a Quenda or Southern Brown Bandicoot to the untrained eye.
Weight: Adult males, 1100g, adult females 900g
Head and body length 270 mm
Tail length 210 mm
The coat is thick, soft, and grey-brown with fur continuing lightly down the tail. The tail curls up tightly when the animal is resting. The ears are rounded and almost completely buried in the fur.
These small marsupials hop on their long hind feet similar to other members of the kangaroo family. They dig for food with their forefeet which have long curved claws but are also able to handle food items with dexterity.
Their diet is specialised with over 90% being made up of native underground fungi (sometimes called "truffles"), which they dig up to 10cm to find. Berries, fleshy seedpods, and insects are also eaten but only in very small quantities.
Not much is known about reproduction, but studies have shown that females can produce a single pouch young when under 12 months old, with males maturing around two years of age. They produce young at any time of year 4-6 weeks after mating and the young stay in the pouch for three to four months. Unlike other marsupials, they have a very quick transition and within a week, they have permanently left the pouch but will still suckle from mum for about a month and then leave the mother’s home range when about 6 months old.
The only known natural population lived within Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. They need unburnt dense sedges and scrubland, where they search for food at night and rest during the day in bowl-shaped nests under spreading sedges, well hidden beneath the shrub canopy.
The biggest threats to the Gilberts potoroo are cats, foxes, and fire.
In 2015 a lightning storm ignited a fire at Two Peoples Bay resulting in the destruction of over 90% of suitable habitat there leaving only a handful of survivors. The species was saved from extinction by the earlier establishment of two safe haven populations by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions in anticipation of just such a catastrophic fire.
Gilbert's Potoroo is the perfect prey size for both foxes and cats, which both frequent the area. Both fox and feral cat control is being undertaken regularly at Two Peoples Bay and has increased since the fire to protect the handful of survivors.
We too can help the potoroo by controlling foxes and feral cats on our properties, sterilising all cats by 6 months of age, including “barn cats” and containing pet cats. Unwanted cats should be rehomed or sent to a rehoming facility and never left to fend for themselves in the bush.

For more information on the Gilberts Potoroo or to donate please visit https://www.potoroo.org/conservation and for information on keeping cats happy inside see https://www.ohcg.org.au/albany-and-surrounds-feral-cat-working-group.html
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For more information on the Gilberts Potoroo or to donate please visit https://www.potoroo.org/conservation and for information on keeping cats happy inside see https://www.ohcg.org.au/albany-and-surrounds-feral-cat-working-group.html
See monthly stories on the local species that live in the area. 

We acknowledge the Minang Bibbulmun people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present, and emerging and to the wider Bibbulmun community. ​

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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Our Groups Story >
      • Meet our Committee of Volunteers
      • Meet Our Staff
      • Our Fellow Community Groups
    • Catchment History
    • Natural Resources
    • Threats >
      • Erosion
      • Cats: Feral, Stray and Domestic
      • Feral Rodents
      • Invasive Plants
    • Natural Wonders >
      • Biodiversity >
        • Seagrass meadows
        • Spiders
        • Western Ringtail Possum
  • PROJECTS
    • Regional Landcare Program
    • Looking Forward, Looking Back: farm planning
    • "uPtake" fertiliser trial
    • Healthy Estuaries WA >
      • Nutrient Mapping
    • Taking Past Learnings into the Future
    • Past Projects >
      • Ranges Link
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Membership
    • Your Say
    • Newsletter
    • Citizen Science and other volunteering opportunities >
      • Annual Western Ringtail Possum tally
    • Albany and Surrounds Feral Cat Working Group >
      • Albany and Surrounds Cat Blog
    • Accuspread Field Day Registration
    • Red Card Feral Animal Shoot >
      • Team Registration
    • Sixteen Legs: >
      • Experience Sixteen Legs
  • CONTACT US
  • RESOURCES
    • For Youth and the Youthful at Heart