Feral cats, introduced during early European invasion and settlement, are posing a growing threat to desert ecosystems — and Indigenous rangers are using artificial intelligence to fight back.
Cats were first brought to Australia by Europeans in the late 18th and 19th centuries, arriving on ships as pets and to control rodents.
As pastoral stations pushed into Australia's central desert in the late 19th century, cats adapted to the arid environment and spread rapidly.
Now regarded as one of Australia's most destructive invasive predators, feral cats are linked to the decline and extinction of dozens of native species, particularly small mammals and ground-dwelling birds that have little defence against introduced hunters.
Across Australia's desert regions, Aboriginal ranger groups are leading coordinated efforts to reduce feral cat numbers and protect culturally and ecologically significant Country.
A spokesperson for the Indigenous Desert Alliance said feral cat management was critical to maintaining healthy desert ecosystems.
"Feral cats are a big threat to the health of Country, and rangers are leading the way in feral cat management across all corners of the desert," the spokesperson said.
One of the tools increasingly being used by ranger teams is the Felixer; a species-specific, high-tech predator control device designed to target only cats and foxes.
Felixers use artificial intelligence to recognise the shape and movement of animals that pass in front of the unit.
If a cat or fox is detected, the device sprays a small amount of toxic gel onto the animal's fur.
"When the animal cleans itself, it ingests the poison and dies," the Indigenous Desert Alliance spokesperson said.
The technology allows rangers to focus control efforts on high-priority habitat while avoiding harm to native wildlife, an ongoing challenge in fragile desert environments.
Ngururrpa Rangers are using Felixers to control feral cats around night parrot roosting sites.
Ngururrpa Country is located in the western desert of WA, south of Balgo and east of the Canning Stock Route, within the Great Sandy Desert region.
The Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area covers a vast, remote area of desert Country and is managed by Traditional Owners in partnership with ranger teams.
"Felixers are a good tool for ranger teams who want to protect high-priority patches of habitat for threatened species," the Indigenous Desert Alliance spokesperson said.
Projects using Felixers and other predator control methods are supported through partnerships including the WA Aboriginal Ranger Program, the NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, and Thylation.
The Indigenous Desert Alliance said controlling feral cats was not only about protecting wildlife, but about fulfilling cultural responsibilities to care for Country and ensure desert ecosystems remain strong for future generations.
