Harnessing Gene Drives to Eradicate Feral Cats in Australia

Feral cats have become a severe threat to native wildlife across Australia. Having been introduced by European settlers in the early 1800s, feral cat populations have grown exponentially, with estimates of up to 6.3 million cats living in the wild. Research shows these non-native predators kill hundreds of millions of native mammals, birds, and reptiles annually, contributing to the extinction of at least 22 endemic species thus far. Australia’s ecosystems are being severely damaged by feral cats. Native animals found nowhere else in the world are at risk if predation continues unchecked. Protecting unique endemic species and ecosystem health requires substantially reducing feral cat populations. This will allow native flora and fauna to recover. As a global biodiversity hotspot, Australia must prioritize feral cat management to conserve its natural heritage. <a href="https://medium.com/@fazan.alihaider/harnessing-gene-drives-to-eradicate-feral-cats-in-australia-535d616c9956">Click Here</a>