Logo image
Ecological blunders and conservation: the impact of introduced foxes and cats on Australian native fauna
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Ecological blunders and conservation: the impact of introduced foxes and cats on Australian native fauna

M.C. Calver, D.R. King, D.A. Risbey, J. Short and L.E. Twigg
Journal of Biological Education, Vol.32(1), pp.67-72
1998
pdf
Published_Version.pdfDownloadView
Published (Version of Record) Open Access

Abstract

Many vertebrate extinctions followed the introduction of the exotic predators, the fox and the cat, to Australia. While experiments have confirmed the case against the fox as a serious threat to endangered species, there is no direct experimental links showing recovery of prey populations following culling of cat numbers, This, coupled with the emotional attachment of many people to cats, has lead to some opposition to their control especially when limitations on the freedom of pets to roam are proposed, The introduced predator case is a stimulating example for teaching aspects of the emerging discipline of conservation biology and highlights the interplay of bio-ethics, public opinion and biological principles in conservation decision-making.

Details

Metrics

686 File views/ downloads
127 Record Views
Logo image