Friends of the Koala, Inc.

MEDIA RELEASE

 27 June 2008

Importation of Savannah cats potential disaster for koalas

Environment Minister Peter Garrett is rightly concerned about the potential threat to native wildlife from importation of the Savannah cat.

The monster moggie known as the Savannah cat is a cross between a wild African Serval and a domestic cat. It has been claimed that early hybrids can weigh as much as 20 kgms although proponents put the average weight as up to 14 kgms. 

“Whatever their weight these designer pets can leap over two metres from a standing start and are twice as big as a domestic cat. They are of a size, strength and jumping ability to hunt koalas should they become feral,” Friends of the Koala President, Lorraine Vass said.

“There are up to 16 savannahs in US quarantine almost ready for delivery to the Gold Coast. Another interested breeder is in Coffs Harbour. If importation goes ahead we could have suppliers to the north and to the south. Imagine the super-hunter resulting from such an animal breeding with a feral cat. Our koalas and other native wildlife would be decimated.”

Australia’s record on containing exotic species, even those imported with worthy intent, is extremely poor. Impulse pet buying is already endemic with over 60,000 dogs and cats being euthanased by the RSPCA alone each year. Estimates suggest there could

already be about 12 million feral cats across Australia. 

Minister Garrett has invited public comment (deadline 17 July 2008) on a draft assessment report of the likely damage that could be caused by the importation of Savannah cats at

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/invitecomment/savannah-cat.html

“We encourage everyone concerned about the loophole in Australia’s legislation that is enabling the importation of savannah cats to respond to the Minister’s invitation. Letters to Mr Garrett and to Tony Burke, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will also help,” Mrs Vass said.

Media contact:

Friends of the Koala, Inc. President: Lorraine Vass, Ph 6629 8388

Find out more about Friends of the Koala, its work and how you can make a difference.  Phone 6622 1233; email info@friendsofthekoala.org or visit www.friendsofthekoala.org.

Friends of the Koala, Inc. PO Box 5034, East Lismore NSW 2480

Koala Care Centre, Rifle Range Road, Lismore NSW 2480.

Volunteers working for koala rescue and rehabilitation • advocacy • education • environmental repair

DEC licence: 10066