Thesis
The use of road underpasses by feral cats (Felis catus) and native wildlife.
Masters by Research, Murdoch University
2025
Abstract
Context: Underpasses are incorporated into roads to encourage animal movement across fragmented landscapes. However, activity of introduced predators – such as feral cats – around underpasses has raised speculation that they target underpasses for shelter and hunting native species.
Aims: This study aimed to (1) assess the use of road underpasses by feral cats and native wildlife, (2) identify what underpass characteristics are associated with increased animal use, and (3) determine if underpasses could be used as lures for targeted cat control.
Methods: 64 motion camera traps were deployed across 16 road underpasses at Alcoa’s two bauxite mines in Western Australia over four months. Four cameras were set up at each underpass; one on each end of the underpass, each paired with another camera 30m away in the adjacent forest.
Key results: 224 independent feral cat detections were recorded in total, whereby 14 individual cats were identified using underpasses as a thoroughfare; one cat was observed regularly at underpasses approximately 5km apart, and another cat took refuge inside an underpass out of the rain for 49 minutes. Additionally, underpasses were used as thoroughfares by native species, including echidna (n=313), chuditch (n=29), rakali (n=36), and mardo (n=182); quokkas (n=10) and quenda (n=7) were detected at the edge of underpasses but rarely entered or passed through. Observations of feral pigs (n=3), Rattus spp. (n=486) and a fox using underpasses to pass beneath roads were also recorded. The influence of underpass characteristics, such as length, width, type, and water presence, and features of the surrounding forest was varied across species; the influence of certain characteristics was not consistent for all species.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that underpasses were used by both native and introduced species. Underpasses were also identified as potential lure locations for targeted cat control to encourage more effective management of feral cats for the conservation of Australian fauna.
Details
- Title
- The use of road underpasses by feral cats (Felis catus) and native wildlife.
- Authors/Creators
- Chloe J Walters
- Contributors
- Trish Fleming (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityMelissa Thomas (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Biosecurity and One HealthJustine Barker (Supervisor) - Alcoa (Australia)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Research
- Identifiers
- 991005799073507891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Note
- Accelerated Research Masters with Training
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