Invasive species cost global economy $423 billion a year, is the news headline as reported by ABC Radio National, (Tue 5 Sep 2023). 

Foxes, rabbits, cats and cane toads — the list of introduced species wreaking havoc on the Australian environment is a long one with many familiar, household names.

Now the first global assessment of the impact of invasive species has quantified how these pests, and many others, are posing a major threat to nature, human health, economies and food security — at a cost of $423 billion a year.

Hear Dr Andy Sheppard, CSIRO Chief Scientist and report lead co-author, speaking on ABC Radio National Breakfast about the report and what needs to be done.  

So many reports end up gathering dust on some department shelf.  It’s to be hoped this one is given the priority it deserves and some series attention is given to tackling the problem which has been compounding year on year for far too long. 

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One tool available to ecologists and those working to put a cap on the number of feral and roaming domestic cats, is a piece of high tech equipment designed to specifically target cats and no other species.  In this story: Felixer grooming trap to be rolled out as part of Australia-first strategy to control feral cats, Nicolas Perpitch (ABC News, 28 Jun 2023, updated 10 Jul 2023) reports on how it works and could be applied in the field.