Tasmanian feral cats to be destroyed by Artificial Intelligence on lungtalanana/Clarke Island, Furneaux Group

Artificial intelligence is being used to destroy feral cats on a remote Tasmanian island in the hope of restoring it to its former glory. THE PLAN >

Artificial intelligence is being used to destroy feral cats on a remote Tasmanian island in the hope of restoring it to its former glory.

Four Felixer cat grooming traps have been installed in testing mode on the 82 sq/km lungtalanana/Clarke Island, which is part of the Furneaux Group.

Andrew Cox (Invasive Species Council) and Andry Sculthorpe (Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre) deploying one of the Felixers. Picture: Supplied

The highly sophisticated traps use AI to distinguish between feral cats and other wildlife, spraying a toxin on the fur of a passing cat, which it consumes when grooming itself.

They will be employed in conjunction with other means of cat control, including baiting and trapping.

A view of lungtalanana Island from the air. Picture: Supplied

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) land and heritage co-ordinator, Andry Sculthorpe, said the delivery of the traps was “an important moment for our healthy Country program”.

“We’re grateful for the support of the Invasive Species Council, who subsidised two Felixers for two years and the in-kind support from Thylation Foundation,” he said.

Mr Sculthorpe said the TAC was aiming to repatriate cultural species on the island and that eradicating feral cats would help this process and lead to the reintroduction of the Bass Strait Island wombat, the long-nosed potoroo and the Bennetts wallaby.

Feral cat being successfully detected, identified, and targeted by a Felixer at Arid Recovery in early 2023. Picture: Supplied

“lungtalanana has suffered from a history of invasion that brought feral animals and a persecution of native species,” he said. “A project like this will offer important training and land learning opportunities for our rangers and community.”

Invasive Species Council (ISC) CEO, Andrew Cox, said the ISC was “extremely pleased to support this important restoration program”.

Originally published as Tasmanian feral cats to be destroyed by Artificial Intelligence on lungtalanana/Clarke Island, Furneaux Group