Feral cats, snakes at Wonga Beach

WILD WONGA

David Gardiner

Journalist

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Wildlife enthusiast David Cook says he suspects this is a feral cat. Picture: David Cook

Wonga Beach resident David Cook has witnessed, and photographed, many a snake, dog, bird, and native rodent – but this time he reckons he’s captured a feral cat on camera.

With several of our readers reporting sightings of large cats over several years and recently in many parts of Douglas, Mr Cook’s night security camera snap is generating further discussion about the possible feral animal encroachments in suburban yards.

Mr Cook keeps chickens at the back of his home, and all sorts of stray dogs and snakes, even tortoises are regular visitors. They are attracted to his feathered friends simply out of curiosity, or more grimly, for a free feed.

Pythons have swallowed a few of the smaller chickens.

But the tables might soon be turning on the Wonga Beach night-time food chain: “Who let the CATS out? (This time). Or: ... Moggie on the menu?” he posted in reference to the unidentified cat. 

“This rather rotund moggie has paid at least two nocturnal visits to our baby chicken coops recently, see dates on security camera photos,” Mr Cook said.

“The disastrous effects of cats on our native fauna is summarised here: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/.../feral-animals.../feral-cats, or if link dodgy just search DCCEEW 'feral cats',” he added.

“Cats on the prowl compete with pythons for similar prey but may well be far more efficient killers.

“With the 'Return of Monty Python' to the same chicken coops, recorded here on three nights recently, it may well turn out to be, for a python of this size (estimate almost 4 metres) a case of ‘Monty's Revenge’ .... a great opportunity for Monty to have ‘Moggie on the Menu’ ”.

A water python, at least two metres in length, in Mr Cook’s chicken coop. Picture: David Cook

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