Bold Steps to Protect Native Species on French Island

French Island’s land managers are continuing the transformative conservation efforts to safeguard the island’s native wildlife.

Through a project called French Island Priority Place – Creating a Wildlife Safe Haven land managers are working to eradicate the island’s feral cat population and in doing so take a critical step toward making the island a sanctuary free of introduced predators.

This ambitious project will provide a haven for the island’s small marsupials including the Long-nosed Potoroo and Eastern Barred Bandicoot which are vulnerable to feral cat predation.

As French Island, Victoria’s largest island and a priority place in the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032, is already free of foxes, the removal of feral cats would be a game-changing next step.

Feral cats pose a serious challenge to Australia’s biodiversity, impacting native wildlife populations and are a recognised threat to more than 200 nationally threatened species. They have also contributed to the extinction of more than 20 Australian mammal species.

This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and Saving Native Species programs delivered by Melbourne Water, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.  Melbourne Water leads project implementation in partnership with Parks Victoria,  the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Victorian Government’s Department of Energy, the Environment and Climate Action, and the French Island community, represented by the French Island Landcare Group and Community Association.

The project builds on efforts initiated by the French Island Landcare Group and expanded through the Feral Cat Free French Island project. The current initiative is designed in three phases:

• Broad-scale reduction of the feral cat population, targeted removal of remaining individuals, and
• Ongoing monitoring to prevent re-establishment.

“This is a landmark conservation effort,” said John Woodland, Head of Waterway and Catchment Services, South East, at Melbourne Water. “Eradicating feral cats will significantly enhance the prospects for French Island’s native species, creating a predator-free refuge.”

“I am proud of the French Island community and all our partners efforts to make this island a safe haven to protect threatened species” said Dr Fiona Fraser, the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Commissioner.  

Community involvement is essential for the project’s long-term success, through support from the French Island community and responsible pet ownership.

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