Feral cat nos: "How many are there? The use and misuse of continental-scale wildlife abundance estimates

[colin trainor <>]

Although research groups would like more money, various groups are tackling cat 
issues.....


""How many are there? The use and misuse of continental-scale wildlife 
abundance estimates"


                                http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR14059.htm

                                        
                                        
                                                
                                                
        

                                                 
Jim 
Hone 
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                                                
                                                                         A
                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                         C
                                                                
                                                                                
and
                                                                        
                                                
                                                
        

                                                 
Tony 
Buckmaster 
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                                                
                                                                         A
                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                         B
                                                                
                                        


                                        
                                        A 
Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, 
Australia. 
 B 
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra, 
ACT 2601, Australia. 
 C 
Corresponding author. Email:  
        
Abstract
                                                
The number of individuals in a wildlife population is often estimated
 and the estimates used for wildlife management. The scientific basis of
 published continental-scale estimates of individuals in Australia of 
feral cats and feral pigs is reviewed and contrasted with estimation of 
red kangaroo abundance and the usage of the estimates. We reviewed all 
papers on feral cats, feral pigs and red kangaroos found in a Web of 
Science search and in Australian Wildlife Research and Wildlife Research,
 and related Australian and overseas scientific and ‘grey’ literature. 
The estimated number of feral cats in Australia has often been repeated 
without rigorous evaluation of the origin of the estimate. We propose an
 origin. The number of feral pigs in Australia was estimated and since 
then has sometimes been quoted correctly and sometimes misquoted. In 
contrast, red kangaroo numbers in Australia have been estimated by more 
rigorous methods and the relevant literature demonstrates active 
refining and reviewing of estimation procedures and management usage. We
 propose four criteria for acceptable use of wildlife abundance 
estimates in wildlife management. The criteria are: use of appropriate 
statistical or mathematical analysis; precision estimated; original 
source cited; and age (current or out-of-date) of an estimate evaluated.
 The criteria are then used here to assess the strength of evidence of 
the abundance estimates and each has at least one deficiency (being 
out-of-date). We do know feral cats, feral pigs and red kangaroos occur 
in Australia but we do not know currently how many feral cats or feral 
pigs are in Australia. Our knowledge of red kangaroo abundance is 
stronger at the state than the continental scale, and is also 
out-of-date at the continental scale. We recommend greater consideration
 be given to whether abundance estimates at the continental scale are 
needed and to their use, and not misuse, in wildlife management.
 
                                                

Additional keywords:
feral cat, feral pig, population estimation, red kangaroo, wildlife management
                                          
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