It’s a well-known fact that feral cats have contributed to the extinction of several Australian bird and mammal species, whilst threatening the existence of many more.
Though being an island, from off an island of another island—many of our supporters and guests generally assume we’d be immune to their onslaught, right? Unfortunately, not! Bruny Island suffers the same catastrophic effects as the rest of the country.
Having witnessed several feral cats traverse our sanctuaries over the years—whilst surveying many more on film through our wildlife camera monitoring—we implement cat management operations on our nature sanctuaries as part of our wildlife habitat initiative to break the national/world trend of species decline.
So learning of Kingborough Council and UTAS Bruny Island Cat Control Project, we were delighted to support such a crucial undertaking by allowing the use of two of our nature accommodation sanctuaries as key habitat monitoring sites, so much so, we’ll also be part funding the research into discovering the distribution of feral cats across the entire island—along with many other investigative facets (including Eastern Quoll distribution)—in an attempt to better understand feral cat behavioural patterns, hunting techniques, ecological impacts, etc., and subsequently improve *everyone’s* cat management procedures and control-results into the future.
We’re extremely excited to be supporting such a fabulous program and honestly can’t wait for the invaluable insight— although, we’re obviously trepidatious about the probable severity of the research findings —which will allow for the implementation of new and improved measures to kerb the harrowing impact on our beloved wildlife: such as the Eastern barred and Southern brown bandicoot; Forty-spotted pardalote; Swift parrot; Hooded plover; and many more.
Out of all the sensitive habitats feral cats wreak havoc through in Australia, we firmly believe Bruny—a biodiverse hotspot—has the greatest chance of becoming a feral cat-free ark and genetic stronghold for the preservation of several vulnerable and endangered species.
Like what we do? Then why not rewild yourself at one of our nature accommodation sanctuaries—and support the direct preservation and maintenance of our various habitat initiatives.
Kingborough Council
https://www.kingborough.tas.gov.au/services/animal-management/cats/cats-bruny-island/
Weed invasion is one of the largest threats against ecosystems all around the world; and unfortunately, BrunyIsland.au is not immune to this threat.
In late 2013, BrunyIsland.au undertook a massive and rather unique weed eradication project. Our aim was to control the radiata pine infestation which was threatening to overrun the native bushland at our 900 acre 'Bruny Island Lodge' property on South Bruny.
Perhaps it is something about the island that makes us like birds, both happy in our solitude and eager for a chat.
The Tasmanian Azure Kingfisher is endangered and endemic to Tasmania, and very rarely seen on Bruny Island.
Cape Bruny Light keepers have been doing battle with nature since 1838. Tending the light to ensure that maritime travellers did not meet the same grisly end as so many before them had done, it was an arduous and unrelenting life.
Bruny Island Coastal Retreats has launched a photography tour. Suitable for photographers of all levels, this guided four day tour takes you to spectacular locations on Bruny Island.
Following the coastline of Bruny Island, you might chance upon a rock formation that bears a striking resemblance to one of the great explorers in history.
This video shows how CAD technology is being used for the restoration of Te Rapunga.