Feral cats, along with wild dogs and foxes, are thought to have a devastating impact on populations of small native animals in parts of the Australian bush. But the future may be even bleaker with a larger and more ferocious breed of cat, known as the Savannah, expected to be introduced into Australia in the next five years.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald:
"More than 30 savannahs - which cost $5000 for a pet and $10,000 for a breeding animal - are expected to come to Australia in the next five years, with up to 16 now in US quarantine.
"Hybrids of wild animals and domestic animals are a stupid American trend to breed more and more exotic pets," said Professor Peacock, who works at the University of Canberra.
"This loophole will effectively lead to fitting a nuclear warhead to our already devastating feral cat population. Haven't our native animals got enough to contend with?"
"Mr Parker dismissed suggestions that the animals could threaten native wildlife, saying they would not be allowed to roam. The company demands that customers sign a contract stipulating specific housing arrangements.
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Tony,
Doesn't the introduction of new things add to biodiversity? Sure, new things eat other things, but if you add enough new fauna and flora, Australia's ecosystem could be far more diverse than ever before!
Sure, Darwinian hurly-burly could prove that some plants and animals are outdated and uncompetitive, but--to coin a phrase--that's life!
Wild dogs in Australia have grown by 3 kg in the last 30 years due to hybridization. My worry is that serval genes will lead to bigger cats that are better hunters.
The Minister has acted quickly and instigated a review - the draft risk assessment looks daming. But I reckon all hybrids need a look at - the same rules make it legal to bring a wolf0dog hybrid in, as long as it is five generations away from the wolf. It took thousands of years to domesticate animals, not a decade or two.
Cheers