FERAL CATS AND FOXES - THEIR IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY - Thursday May 12

Of all the changes to the Australian environment resulting from Europeans reaching Australia, arguably the worst impacts on our unique wildlife have been from feral cats and the European red fox.

These two predators are responsible for the demise of a large number of Australian marsupials and mammals and several species of birds.

At the Busselton Naturalists Club’s meeting on Thursday May 12, Professor Trish Fleming from the Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Murdoch University will talk about the impacts of these two feral species on our biodiversity.

Her talk is entitled “Comparing diet and conservation impacts of the feral cat and red fox” and she will describe how a study of the diet of these two introduced animals allows conservation biologists to better understand what impacts cats and foxes have on wildlife species of conservation significance.

An active researcher for over 15 years, Prof Fleming  describes herself as “a wildlife biologist’ who works “on projects that have a practical application – where improving our understanding of animal physiology (e.g. diet) and behaviour (e.g. habitat selection) can improve their conservation or welfare.”

The meeting will be held in the main hall of the Busselton Senior Citizens Centre, 22 Peel Terrace, Busselton, with parking at the rear of the building.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is open to the public free of charge, although a gold coin donation to cover venue hire costs is always appreciated.