What do predator diets tell us about mammal declines in Kakadu National Park?

A significant decline in small- and medium-sized native mammals in Kakadu National Park, including within protected areas, has been linked to predation by feral cats (Felis catus). Analysis of dingo and cat scats from the 1980s to 2013–15 revealed that while macropods became the predominant prey for dingoes in recent years, medium-sized native mammals dominated cat diets. Small mammals, once a major dietary component for both predators, showed a marked decline in frequency in their scats, reflecting their overall population reduction. Despite these declines, some species persist disproportionately high frequencies in predator diets, indicating ongoing predatory pressure. The study suggests that while feral cats are a primary threat, dingoes may also hinder mammal recovery. Disturbance from fire and introduced herbivores further exacerbates predation impacts, implying that management strategies focused solely on feral cats may be insufficient without addressing broader landscape disturbances.

Stokeld, D., Fisher, A., Gentles, T., Hill, B., Triggs, B., Woinarski, J. C. Z., & Gillespie, G. R. (2018). What do predator diets tell us about mammal declines in Kakadu National Park? Wildlife Research, 45(1), 92–101. https://doi.org/10.1071/wr17101