Picture this: New Felixer guide a game-changer in feral cat management
Indigenous ranger groups managing the devastating impact of feral cats on Australia’s threatened wildlife are benefiting from a new piece of kit as they care for country.
The Felixer Pictorial Guide is the result of extensive collaboration between the National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program, the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA), Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA), the Central Land Council (CLC) and Thylation, the maker of the Felixer unit.
Program Coordinator, Yasmin Aly, says, “It’s been a privilege to work alongside land managers caring for country, something we’re proud to support every day of the year through resources like this innovative one-page guide.”
“Using a pictorial approach is a new way to support Indigenous rangers across Australia, and other groups working in remote areas, troubleshoot, check, set up and operate Felixer grooming traps confidently in the field under a range of field conditions.”
“With feral cats killing nearly 1 billion reptiles, birds and mammals in Australia every year, making these units more accessible means more staff can deploy Felixer technology safely and effectively to protect our precious native species,” she adds.
Yasmin says the innovative, visual guide is thanks to funding by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for the National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination Program delivered by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS).
“This project confirmed a clear need for a user-friendly, practical, and readily accessible resource for field staff. Key feedback ensured a strong focus on usability, particularly for staff working in remote areas or those with limited literacy. The input from these groups means the finished product covers all safety and operational considerations,” says Ms Aly.
“Simple, ready-to-use resources like this can support pest managers working in remote settings, those with limited literacy or anyone needing quick guidance in the field. I see the need for more resources like this to support other management tools and make feral animal control more efficient and accessible,” Ms Aly adds.
Yasmin stresses the guide is designed to support, rather than replace, existing training and accreditation requirements. It provides a practical reference for users in the field while reinforcing the importance of following product label directions and best practice management procedures.
Image caption: A Felixer grooming trap in the landscape with the new pictorial guide. Image credit: Gillian Basnett.
To secure your copy, email feralcatandfox@invasives.com.au
Case study | Bruny Island Cat Management Project
Bruny Island is a nationally recognised Priority Place that supports important species such as the eastern quoll, as well as threatened sea and migratory birds.
Led by NRM South, the Bruny Island Cat Management Project has been operating since 2019 through successive Australian Government funding programs and now forms part of the Biodiverse Bruny Island initiative.
The project brings together local and state agencies, researchers, community and First Nations groups and private landholders to manage the impacts of domestic, stray and feral cats across the island. It combines conventional trapping alongside trials of emerging technologies such as Felixer grooming traps.
These Felixer units have demonstrated high target accuracy and potential for controlling trap-shy cats. These efforts demonstrate the value of long-term investment, strong partnerships and innovative management in protecting Bruny Island’s unique biodiversity.
The program has delivered significant conservation outcomes, including a welcome increase in short-tailed shearwater burrow occupancy since 2021 and a five- to six-fold reduction in feral cat numbers in key management areas. With the detection of H5N1 bird flu on Australia’s shores in recent weeks, feral cat management has become even more critical than before to give Australia’s bird life the best chance in the face of new threats.
More about Felixer grooming traps
Felixer units are an innovative tool for managing feral cats in a highly targeted way while reducing risks to other wildlife.
Using sensors, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technologies, Felixer units are trained to identify feral cats and apply a small dose of 1080 toxic gel that is later ingested through normal grooming.
The grooming trap units also take photos of animal detections, providing useful insights into feral cat activity and local wildlife. By combining effective pest control with wildlife monitoring, Felixers can help protect threatened native species and support broader conservation efforts.
Read more: Felixer grooming traps – PestSmart