I don't know all the facts yet but there has been an application to introduce a cross between a domestic cat and a wild cat from africa. There are a lot bigger than a domestic cat and I would expect would eat a lot more wildlife when they are allowed to run around the neighbourhood let allone go feral. I have heard of an online petition against the introduction. Does anyone know more?
Found th link.
www.snakerescue.com.au/index.php
Aparently the cat is a cross between a domestic cat and a Savel.I hope this kind of info is allowed on the forum.
See Yez
Trev
Sorry for the triple posting but I am very concerned about this. There is a draft plan on live imports that is open for public comment untill 17th July. That is probably very useful to us all. You can get to it from the environment.gov.au site. Hope you can all give input and ask others to. The cat is called the Savannah Cat,god knows how much damage this thing could do to our wildlife.
See Yez
Trev
Hi Bushanwater!
I couldn't agree more. Thanks for including the link info, I have forwarded it to everyone I know!
This kind of idiotic, moronic act makes me fume!
Have "we" not learnt from past failed introductions that this can ONLY be a disaster, if not a catastrophe (no cat pun intended, but you can take it if you want ;-))
What infuriates me even more, is that to procure almost any of our native species of bird, reptile, mammal, amphibian etc one must hold the appropriate licence, which varies from state to state. Now don't get me wrong, I support and agree with these requirements and in fact believe it is a valuable (although imperfect) system. But to procure non-native species, all one needs is to hand over some cash.. No records, no ID, nothing.. When it is easier for Joe Bloggs to get hold of a non native creature than a native one, Joe is going to take the easier option. This same Joe, who may not be so keen on the impulse purchase (since he didn't have to wait for his NPWS licence) might be more inclined to just get rid of the hungry, difficult to feed, noisy or vicious creature, rather than responsibly re-home it..just look at the number of dumped cats and dogs we already have. Recently dumped mollies were found living happily in our natural waterways..
I pray that this stupid application is refused, as Australians we need to make our concern known. I certainly have enough trouble keeping the neighbourhood cats away from my canaries and native finches despite my 4 dogs. I hate to think what these monsters could do.
I posted away my submision to try to stop the importation of Savannah Cats. I hope others have done/will do what they can.
See Yez
Trev
I saw a story over the weekend that stated that Peter Garrett has banned the importation of this breed.
That's right Holly. It was announced on the 3rd of August. No savannah cats. We can only hope common sense will win out again next time someone tries somethiong this stupid.
See Yez
Trev
If people want bigger cats they just need to go out and get a feral, they grow huge. A few have come to grief here on our block. Sad, because it's not the animals fault. I rather like cats as an animal but can't see a place for them here, they are just to destructive.
Paul