Nationals Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, has called for tighter feral predator control.
Mr. Kemp has spoken in Parliament to drew attention to the alarming rates of native mammal extinction, with feral cats and foxes identified as the primary culprits of the uncontrolled problem.
“Entire species are being wiped out before our eyes. The message is clear. We need tighter feral predator control,” Mr. Kemp said.
Australia holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of mammal extinction globally. In NSW alone, 14 bird species and 26 mammals have become extinct over the past 250 years, with feral cats killing more than 1.5 billion native animals annually across the country.
“We cannot overlook the fact that in the wild, cats are one of the most efficient hunters of native birds, mammals, and reptiles,” Mr Kemp said.
Ngambaa Nature Reserve, which Mr Kemp recently visited in the Nambucca Shire, is one of seven predator-free areas in NSW. The reserve is expected to support the recovery of 12 threatened species and reintroduce five native mammals that have been locally extinct.
“Nature reserves like Ngambaa are breathing life back to areas devastated by natural disasters and human and predator activity,” Mr Kemp said.
Managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the 2,023-hectare reserve is safeguarded by 22 kilometres of conservation fencing, providing a secure environment for wildlife to thrive.
“This is not just about one reserve. It’s about setting a standard for how we address the feral predator crisis across NSW,” Mr Kemp said.
He also said how Ngambaa, like many areas affected by bushfires, is especially vulnerable.
“The bushfires that spread through the Mid North Coast not only burned trees but also created open hunting grounds for feral cats, foxes, and other pests,” he said.
He said while reserves like Ngambaa are vital, they are not enough.
“We need better public awareness of the problem. We need stricter regulations on roaming cats to ensure they are not contributing to the destruction of our wildlife. We need support for our veterinarians around cats that are not restricted in their movement being deemed as feral. We need a coordinated, nationwide effort to control feral populations in all corners of our country,” he concluded.
