Minister Groom Funding failing our native fauna

It’s a pity Minister Groom wouldn’t show as much concern over feral cat eradication, as he does over wombat mange….

It seems $100,000 spend to assist in a problem that appears quite regional, and is certainly not adversely affecting the hundreds of wombats seen in the Central Highlands, could be better spent.

While we support any wildlife disease containment and eradication, it must be said that this mange has been around for many years and has only effected isolated animals, and has never spread through the general population in the Central Highlands.

The feral cat problem is increasing by the day and our wildlife is suffering enormously, as are our farmers, with the deadly diseases that the feral cats carry, in particular toxoplasmosis.

By observation we have seen the numbers of native bird, such as pardalote’s, wattle birds, superb blue wrens, green mountain parrots, and many others crash in the Tasmanian Highlands. These along with small marsupials, are targeted by the feral cats, which are seen, day and night, all over the Highlands. This is very much a major Tasmanian wildlife issue that the government continues to ignore with little to no funding, and even less understanding.

Surely this is a far greater problem than wombats, and yet our Government continues to stick their heads in the sand, for fear of offending the urban cat lovers, and do nothing.

Why not get out into our rural and regional areas, talk to local, and open your eyes to the decimation that is going on Mr. Groom, and then perhaps you may understand the real issues, facing a multitude of threatened Tasmanian wildlife species.

The Fox Eradication Programme should have included feral cat targeting and then we may have got some value, and return for the millions spent on a phantom fox. While the feral cats, have been and still are, creating unbelievable carnage.

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Tasmanian Party, call on Minister Groom to address the real threat to a much wider variety of wildlife, and livestock; the ever increasing feral cat.
Adrian Pickin Press Liaison Officer Shooters & Fishers Party, Tas.