Feral cat predation of the threatened Pilbara leaf-nosed bat – a key threatening process

Abstract

Feral cat predation is recognised as a significant threat to Australian wildlife that has contributed to population declines and extinctions. Cat predation of bats worldwide is a growing concern, though there are few studies focusing on Australian species. We consolidated empirical evidence of cat predation on the threatened Pilbara leaf-nosed bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Observations in video and camera trap datasets demonstrated repeated predation of R. aurantia by several individual cats at three significant roosts. Between 2020 and 2023, we documented 183–200 bat kills at these sites. We recommend feral cat predation be formally recognised as a key threat to this species. To prevent declines at key colonies that would contribute to a population reduction, ongoing monitoring and proactive control of cats at known R. aurantia roosts should be prioritised. As demonstrated herein, camera trap monitoring is a valid method for quantifying the impact of feral cats at roost sites. Because relatively few individual cats at just a few sites can have a large impact, and most of the larger roost sites of R. aurantia have been discovered, there is potential for amelioration of this threat with multiple established and emerging methods deployed concurrently.