Education for best-practice cat management to decrease impacts on biodiversity -Protecting Potoroos and their Native Neighbours -managed by Cat Laws and Wildlife Survival 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.
Pezoporus flaviventris -
Western ground parrot Kyloring Click photo for more information
Atrichornis clamosus —
Noisy Scrub-bird,
Tjimiluk Click photo for more information
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 on 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.