Feral cats likely kill far more Australian native animals than we thought: first DNA analysis

Australian research using DNA forensics has revealed a troubling gap in how scientists measure feral cat predation. The Conversation reports that DNA analysis of cat stomach contents detected twice as many mammal species and three times as many bird species compared to traditional methods that examine physical remains—suggesting cats are killing far more native animals than prior estimates indicated. Australia has the worst mammal extinction record in the world, with more than forty extinctions over the past two hundred thirty-eight years and almost seven hundred animals currently at risk. Feral cats are estimated to kill more than one point five billion native animals annually, and at least two hundred endangered species are directly threatened by them. The new DNA findings underscore how urgent the need is to refine conservation strategies as Australia begins rewilding efforts beyond fenced reserves where cats have been suppressed.

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