Natural resource management group Wheatbelt NRM helps to coordinate the Red Card for Rabbits and Foxes shoots.

The group’s project delivery officer for Healthy Environments Jacquie Lucas said feral cats were devastating native animal populations.

“Research in central South Australia has shown one feral cat can hunt more than 8000 native animals each year, including ornate dragons, pygmy possums and robins,” Jacquie Lucas said.

“We know that as a result of controlling feral cats and foxes around Mt Stirling (south of Kellerberrin) there has been an explosion in the population of the threatened Black flanked rock wallaby.

“By having campaigns like Red Card, we can better coordinate communities to target these feral animals.”

Last year, more than 400 volunteers from Northampton through to Esperance took part in a coordinated culling program.

They helped eradicate 1500 foxes, more than 60 feral cats and 700 rabbits.

The Sporting Shooters Association of WA donates funds up to $20,000 to charities through the program.

The SSAA of WA president Ron Bryant said it was a worthy cause.

“We appreciate the work this group does in rural communities, in areas where our members work with other community members to control feral animals,” Ron Bryant said.

The next dates for the Autumn SSAA WA Community Red Card Fox shoot are 24th and 26th March.

For more information log onto www.facebook.com/RedCardRF/

Pictured: Sporting Shooters Association of WA president Ron Bryant