Senior Research Scientist

The current research programs are focused on the design and development of introduced predator control strategies, over broad-scale areas, to provide an effective, cost-efficient long-term sustained control solution. As part of this program, I am also involved in the development of techniques to monitor introduced predator abundance that will enable the planning and implementation of clearly defined prescriptions for introduced predator control (including baiting requirements; ie. where, when and how to bait), and, importantly, will allow an objective assessment of the effectiveness of control measures in reducing their density.

I have extensive experience and expertise in the fields of fox and feral cat ecology and control strategies. I have made a significant contribution to the design and development of effective and cost-efficient control strategies for both foxes and feral cats, including innovative research into determining the timing of baiting programs to maximize efficiency; determining baiting efficiency across geographic zones; examining levels of baiting intensity to provide cost effective control; and assessing potential non-target risks. In addition to this research, I have been involved in designing and developing techniques to survey populations and assess various aspects of population demographics relevant to control strategies. This research has led to a number of major achievements and been instrumental in the Department being recognized as the leading agency in Australia in introduced predator control strategies.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS / PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

1974-77 Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Melbourne University.
B. Agric. Sci. (1st Class Honours)

1978-80 Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Melbourne University, in-
conjunction with CSIRO Div. Wildlife Res., W.A.
M. Agric. Sci.
Thesis Title: Studies on Growth, Body Composition and Nutrition of Emus, Dromaius novaehollandiae

1981-86 Department of Zoology, University of Western Australia
Ph. D.
Thesis Title: An Ecological Study of Macropodid Marsupial Species on a Reserve

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

I have extensive expertise in introduced predator (fox, cat and dog/dingo) research and control strategies.

IA CRC Project "Sustained introduced predator control in the Rangelands".

Developing sustainable management systems for the conservation of biodiversity at the landscape scale in the Gibson Desert Bioregion (Lorna Glen).

Feral Predator Control for the enhancement of Malleefowl Populations and to Investigate Meso-Predator Relationships in the Arid Woodlands of the Coolgardie Bioregion with Portman Iron Ore Ltd)

Collaborative research program with the Department of Sustainable Environment (Vic), DEC, and Department of Environment and Heritage titled "Development of a felid specific toxin and bait delivery system"

Collaborative ARC-linkage Project "Risks to Human and Ecosystem Health of Feral Pigs in a Perth Metropolitan Water Catchment"

(93 items)

2009

Hilmer S, Algar D, Tonkin DJ (2009). Ferals in Paradise: feral cat control on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Neobiota 8, pp. 195–204

2008

Adams PJ, Elliot AD, Algar D, Brazell RI (2008). Gastrointestinal parasites of feral cats from Christmas Island. Australian Veterinary Journal 86, pp. 60–63

Algar D, Angus GJ (2008). Feasibility study for the eradication of feral cats from Faure Island, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum. Supplement 75, pp. 71–75

Algar D, Brazell RI (2008). A bait-suspension device for the control feral cats. Wildlife Research 35, pp. 471–476

Algar D, Richards J (2008). Sustained integrated predator control in the rangelands (ABSTRACT). In Proceedings of the 14th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference: Darwin, Australia, June 2008 (eds G Saunders, C Lane). Vertebrate Pests Committee, Canberra. p. 143

Algar D, Richards J, Lapidge S (2008). Milestone report: Introduced predator control and sustained fauna recovery in south-west Western Australia: is there a mesopredator release effect (cat/fox)? Subproject 1, sustained introduced predator control in the rangelands. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 6 p.

Berry O, Algar D, Hamilton N, Hilmer S, Angus J (2008). A large reduction in fox abundance following 1080 baiting revealed by non-invasive DNA analysis (ABSTRACT). In Australasian Wildlife Management Society 21st annual conference: human impacts on wildlife, 24-27 November 2008, Fremantle WA: program and book of abstracts (ed AS Glen). Conference Organising Committee, Dwellingup. p. 38

Hilmer S, Algar D, Tonkin D, Schleucher E (2008). Ferals in paradise: feral cat research on Cocos (Keeling) Islands (ABSTRACT). In NEOBIOTA: towards a synthesis: 5th European Conference on Biological Invasions, Prague (Czech Republic), 23-28 September 2008: book of abstracts (eds P. Pyšek, J. Pergl). Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Botany, Pruhonice. p. 28

Hilmer S, Schleucher E, Algar D (2008). Seasonal and climatic variations in basal metabolic rate of the feral cat (Felis catus) in Australia (ABSTRACT). In Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft e.V. 101st annual meeting: Jena, 19.-22. September 2008: abstracts Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft, Jena. p. 81

Johnston M, Algar D, Onus M, Hamilton N, Hilmer S, O'Donoghue M et al. (2008). Field trial of a new bait and toxicant for feral cat management on French Island, Victoria (ABSTRACT). In Proceedings of the 14th Australasian Vertebrate Pest Conference: Darwin, Australia, June 2008 (eds G Saunders, C Lane). Vertebrate Pests Committee, Canberra. p. 114

Orell P, Asher J, Powell N, Mawson P, Algar D, Morris K, Brazell R, Marlow N, Brown P (2008). Western Shield: progress and challenges (ABSTRACT). In Australasian Wildlife Management Society 21st annual conference : human impacts on wildlife, 24-27 November 2008, Fremantle WA : program and book of abstracts (ed AS Glen). Conference Organising Committee, Dwellingup. p. 110

Richards J, Algar D (2008). Controlling feral animals in the rangelands. Landscope 23(3), pp. 52–58

Richards J, Algar D, Williams J (2008). Faure Island: from cats and goats to bettongs and bandicoots (ABSTRACT). In Australasian Wildlife Management Society 21st annual conference: human impacts on wildlife, 24-27 November 2008, Fremantle WA: program and book of abstracts (ed AS Glen). Conference Organising Committee, Dwellingup. p. 52

2007

Algar D, Angus GJ, Williams MR, Mellican AE (2007). Influence of bait type, weather and prey abundance on bait uptake by feral cats (Felis catus) on Peron Peninsula, Western Australia. Conservation Science Western Australia 6(1), pp. 109–149

De Tores P, Marlow N, Algar D, Morris K, Glen A, Sutherland D et al. [Cruz J, Bryant G] (2007). Mesopredator release: a response to 1080 control of foxes in WA: what is the evidence and what are we doing (POSTER ABSTRACT). In ESA 2007, Program and Abstracts: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth, Australia, 2007, Monday 26th November to Friday 30th November 2007 Conference Organising Committee, Perth. p. 186

Hetherington CA, Algar D, Mills H, Bencini R (2007). Increasing the target-specificity of Eradicat® for feral cat (Felis catus) control by encapsulating a toxicant. Wildlife Research 34, pp. 467–471

Hilmer S, Algar D, Angus J, Schleucher E (2007). Impact of long term captivity on the physiology of the feral cat (Felis catus) (ABSTRACT). In 24th Annual Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Western Australia and Curtin University, Perth, December 1-2, 2007 Curtin University of Technology, Department of Environmental Biology, Perth. p. 46

2006

Algar D (2006). An overview of baiting strategies for feral cat control. In Feral Animals, Threatened Species and the Role of the Community: Conference Convened by the Threatened Species Network, Tasmania, Hobart, March 2005 Threatened Species Network, Hobart. pp. 13–21

Algar D (2006). A summary of research undertaken to identify non-target risks in the use of the feral cat bait Eradicat and encapsulation of the toxin. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 24 p.

Onus ML, Hamilton NA, Hilmer SS, Algar D (2006). Assessment of feral cat abundance and control options at Newmont Jundee operations. Department of Environment and Conservation, Woodvale, WA. 24 p.

Schleucher E, Hilmer S, Angus GJ, Algar D, Warnecke L, Withers PC (2006). The cat in the bag: the impact of captivity on physiological parameters in mammals and birds: PowerPoint presentation given at XIVth ISBC, Gdansk, Poland, 2-7 June 2006: Conference of the International Society of Biocalorimetry. 27 digital slides

Schleucher E, Hilmer S, Angus GJ, Algar D, Warnecke L, Withers PC (2006). The cat in the bag: physiological capacities and the colonisation of new habitats by invasive species in Australia (POSTER ABSTRACT). In NEOBIOTA: From Ecology to Conservation: 4th European Conference on Biological Invasions: Vienna (Austria), 27-29 September 2006: Book of Abstracts Conference Organising Committee, Vienna. p. 237

Schleucher E, Hilmer S, Angus GJ, Algar D, Warnecke L, Withers PC (2006). The cat in the bag: physiological capacities and the colonisation of new habitats by invasive species in Australia: poster presented at NEOBIOTA: From Ecology to Conservation: 4th European Conference on Biological Invasions: Vienna (Austria), 27-29 September 2006 (POSTER).

Williams AAE, Algar D (2006). First record of Euchrysops cnejus (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Australian Entomologist 33, pp. 111–112

2005

Algar D (2005). Feral cats under examination. Conservation News May, p. 6

Algar D, Brazell R (2005). Efficacy of a baiting technique to control feral cats on Christmas Island : a report to Christmas Island Phosphates. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. 29 p.

De Tores P, Marlow N, Algar D (2005). A proposal to expand Western Shield: an integrated approach to best practice vertebrate pest control for positive conservation outcomes at a landscape and local scale. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. 26 p.

Hetherington C, Mills HR, Algar D, Bencini R (2005). Capsule consumption by feral cats (Fells catus) and non-target species in the field (ABSTRACT). In Australian Mammal Society: 51st Scientific Meeting Program and Abstracts: Albany, Western Australia, 4-8 July 2005 (comps K Morris, J Smith, T Friend et al.). Australian Mammal Society, Perth. p. 16

Hetherington C, Mills HR, Algar D, Bencini R (2005). Capsule consumption by feral cats (Felis catus) and non-target species in the field (ABSTRACT). pp. 22–23

2004

Algar D, Burrows ND (2004). Feral cat control research: Western Shield review, February 2003. Conservation Science Western Australia 5(2), pp. 131–163

Hamilton N, Algar D (2004). Further assessment of feral cat abundance and control options at Plutonic Gold Mine: a report to Barrick Gold of Australia Limited.

Onus ML, Hamilton NA, Algar D (2004). Preliminary assessment of feral cats for the ground parrot program within the Fitzgerald River National Park, February 2004. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. 10 p.

2003

Algar D, Angus GJ, Brazell RI, Gilbert C, Tonkin DJ (2003). Feral cats in paradise: focus on Cocos. Atoll Research Bulletin 505, pp. 1–12

Algar D, Brazell R (2003). Results and recommendations, from a feasibility study, to control feral cats on Christmas Island : a report to Christmas Island Phosphates. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. 20 p.

Burrows ND, Algar D, Robinson AD, Sinagra J, Ward B, Liddelow G (2003). Controlling introduced predators in the Gibson Desert of Western Australia. Journal of Arid Environments 55, pp. 691–713

Hamilton N, Algar D (2003). Assessment of feral cat abundance and control options at Plutonic Gold Mine: a report to Barrick Gold of Australia Limited. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 13 p.

Onus ML, Algar D, Brazell RI, Withnell GB, Hamilton N (2003). Assessment of feral cat status on Garden Island: a report to the Department of Defence (HMAS Stirling). Department of Conservation and Land Management, 11 p.

2002

Algar D, Angus GJ (2002). Assessment of feral cat abundance and control strategies on Rottnest Island: a report to the Rottnest Island Authority. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 16 p.

Algar D, Angus GJ, Brazell RI, Gilbert C, Tonkin DJ (2002). Cats in paradise: controlling feral cats in the Cocos Islands. Wildlife Australia 39(2), pp. 34–37

Algar D, Burbidge AA, Angus GJ (2002). Cat eradication on Hermite Island, Montebello Islands, Western Australia. In Turning the Tide: the Eradication of Invasive Species: Proceedings of the International Conference on Eradication of Island Invasives (eds CR Veitch, MN Clout). IUCN, Gland. pp. 14–18

Onus ML, Fuller PJ, Angus GJ, Algar D (2002). Assessment of feral cat abundance and control options at the Sir Samuel Mines N.L., Cosmos Nickel Project: a report to Jubilee Mines, N.L.. 10 p.

Thomas ND, Algar D (2002). Assessment of feral cat abundance and control options at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 5 p.

2001

Algar D, Angus GJ, Brazell RI, Gilbert C, Withnell GB (2001). Farewell felines of Faure: report to Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA.

Algar D, Angus GJ, Onus ML, Fuller PJ (2001). Optimising large scale cat predation control for wildlife recovery: a progress report to the Wind Over Water Foundation. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 13 p.

Algar D, Burbidge AA, Angus GJ (2001). Cat eradication on the Montebello Islands (ABSTRACT). In Eradication of Island Invasives: Practical Actions and Results Achieved at the University of Auckland, 19-23 February 2001 IUCN Species Survival Commission, Invasive Species Specialist Group, Auckland. p. 11

Fisher P, Algar D, Johnston M (2001). Current and future feral cat control management for conservation outcomes. In Proceedings of Veterinary Conservation Biology Wildlife Health and Management in Australasia: July 2001. Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia. (eds L Vogelnest, A Martin).

2000

Algar D (2000). Introduced predators in the arid zone: the W.A. experience: consideration of the impact on reintroductions and the need for control. In Biodiversity and the Re-Introduction of Native Fauna at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: Proceedings of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cross-Cultural Workshop on Fauna Re-Introduction, September 2005 (eds JS Gillen, R Hamilton, WA Low et al.). Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra. pp. 50–52

Algar D Angus GJ Williams MR Mellican AE (2000). An investigation of bait uptake by feral cats on Peron Peninsula, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington, WA. 67 p.

Algar D, Angus GJ (2000). Recommendations on a control strategy for feral cats at Peron Peninsula, Western Australia: a report to the Project Eden Management Committee. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 49 p.

Algar D, Burbidge A (2000). Isle of cats: the scourging of Hermite Island. Landscope 15(3), pp. 18–22

Marlow NJ, Thomson PC, Algar D, Rose K, Kok NE, Sinagra JA (2000). Demographic characteristics and social organisation of a population of red foxes in a rangeland area in Western Australia. Wildlife Research 27, pp. 457–464

Thomson PC, Algar D (2000). The uptake of dried meat baits by foxes and investigations of baiting rates in Western Australia. Wildlife Research 27, pp. 451–456

1999

Algar D, Angus GJ, Sinagra JA (1999). Preliminary assessment of a trapping technique to measure feral cat abundance. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 16 p.

Fisher P, Algar D, Sinagra J (1999). Use of Rhodamine B as a systemic bait marker for feral cats (Felis catus). Wildlife Research 26, pp. 281–285

1998

Algar D (1998). Cat control (ABSTRACT). In Mammal conservation in Western Australia: 28-29th November, 1998, Perth Zoo Perth Zoo, South Perth. p. 1

Algar D, Smith R (1998). Approaching Eden. Landscope 13(3), pp. 28–34

Algar D, Wayne A, Sinagra JA, Ward C, Rooney J, Liddelow G, Wheeler I (1998). Preliminary assessment of a sausage bait for fox control (stage 2) report. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. 13 p.

Sinagra JA, Algar D (1998). Feral cats: Argyle Diamonds: a report prepared for Argyle Diamond Mines Pty Ltd. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 8 p.

1997

Algar D (1997). Exotic predators. In 1997 Fauna Conservation Course: Batalling Field Study Centre, 20-24th October 1997 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA. pp. 1–8

1996

Algar D (1996). Fat cats. Landscope 11(2), p. 6

Algar D, Kinnear JE (1996). Secondary poisoning of foxes following a routine 1080 rabbit-baiting campaign in the Western Australian wheatbelt. CALMScience 2, pp. 149–152

Algar D, Sinagra J (1996). Broadscale control of feral cats in Western Australia: final report to ANCA, Year 1. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Algar D, Sinagra JA (1996). Methods of broadscale control of feral cats in W.A.: annual report, January 1996: Feral Pests Program, project 11. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 32 p.

Algar D, Sinagra JA (1996). Methods of broadscale control of feral cats in W.A.: progress report, April 1996: Feral Pests Program, project 11. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 8 p.

1995

Algar D (1995). Feral cat control. In 1995 Mammal Conservation Course: Batalling Field Study Centre, 23-27th October, 1995 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA. pp. 30–31

Algar D (1995). Cat control for Project Montebello renewal. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 5 p.

Algar D, Blyth J (1995). Control of feral cats. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Kimberley Regional Office, Pastoral Memo 16(3), pp. 7–8

Algar D, Friend JA (1995). Methods of broadscale control of feral cats and fox control at a numbat re-introduction site. Year 2, final report, March 1995: Feral Pests Program, Project 11. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 46 p.

Algar D, Sinagra J (1995). Cat control for Project Eden. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 15 p.

Algar D, Sinagra J (1995). Broadscale control of feral cats in Western Australia: progress report to ANCA, year 1. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Algar D, Sinagra JA (1995). Control of feral cats: Nifty Copper operations. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 10 p.

1994

Algar D (1994). Feral cat control. In 1994 Mammal Conservation Course: Batalling Field Study Centre, 24-28 October, 1994 Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA. pp. 30–31

Algar D, Sinagra J (1994). Cats: a new update on control methods and some new advances (ABSTRACT). In Symposium Handbook: Program, Abstracts & Mail Conference Summary: National Rock Wallaby Symposium, 1994, Oraparinna, South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Foundation of New South Wales, Sydney. p. 14

Friend JA, Algar D (1994). Methods of broadscale control of feral cats and fox control at a numbat re-introduction site. Year 2, progress report, June 1994: Feral Pests Program, Project 11. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 6 p.

Friend JA, Algar D (1994). Methods of broadscale cat control and fox control at a numbat re-introduction site. Year 1: final report, December 1993: with appendix, February 1994: Feral Pests Programme, project 11. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 33 p.

1993

Friend JA, Algar D (1993). Methods of broadscale cat control and fox control at a numbat re-introduction site: progress report, September 1993: Feral Pests Program, Project 11. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 13 p.

Friend JA, Algar D (1993). Methods of broadscale cat control and fox control at a numbat re-introduction site. Year 1: final report, December 1993: Feral Pests Programme, project 11. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 27 p.

Kinnear J, Algar D, Marlow N (1993). Background, current status and proposed future directions of research on the control and ecology of the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes): ESP project number 38: control and ecology of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes, in Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 77 p.

Thomson PC, Algar D (1993). Final report, APB/CALM fox projects 1990/91, 1991/92. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 45 p.

1992

Algar D, Kinnear JE (1992). Cyanide baiting to sample fox populations and measure changes in relative abundance. In Wildlife Rabies Contingency Planning in Australia: National Wildlife Rabies Workshop, 12-16 March 1990 (eds P O'Brien, G Berry). Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. pp. 135–138

1991

Algar D, Kinnear JE (1991). Fox density and dispersal into baited areas. In Handbook of Working Papers: 9th Australian Vertebrate Pest Control Conference, Adelaide, S.A. 1991 Vertebrate Pest Control Conference Committee, Adelaide. pp. 177–180

Kinnear JE, Algar D (1991). A manual on fox control: as commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, project P106, for the purpose of conserving threatened Australian wildlife. Draft. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 49 p.

Kinnear JE, Algar D, Marlow N (1991). Control and ecology of the red fox in W.A.: report no. 2 on ESP Project. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Sokolowski R, Burrows N, Shearer B, Keighery G, Algar D, Friend A et al. [Langley M, Clift H] (1991). Interim guidelines for necessary operations for Woodvale Nature Reserve no. 30809. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 62 p.

1990

Algar D (1990). Macropod conservation: fox control study. Phase 3: final report to ANPWS Research and Surveys Consultancy Program 1988/89. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Algar D (1990). Fox control: study of the dispersal of foxes under conditions of control and no control: preliminary report to DPIE Bureau of Rural Resources, Wildlife and Exotic Diseases Preparedness Program, 1988/89. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Kinnear JE, Algar D, Marlow N (1990). Control and ecology of the red fox in W.A.: report no. 1 on ESP Project. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

1989

Algar D (1989). Macropod conservation: fox control study. Phase 3: progress report to ANPWS Research and Surveys Consultancy Program 1988/89. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Algar D (1989). Fox control: determination of density and dispersal, a prerequisite for disease control: final report to DPIE Bureau of Rural Resources, Wildlife and Exotic Diseases Preparedness Program, 1988/89. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Algar D (1989). Preparation of a manual on fox control: progress report to WWF Australia, P106. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

Kinnear JE, Algar D (1989). Fox project. Phase II: final report to ANPWS. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Como, WA.

1987

Arnold GW, Algar D, Hobbs RJ, Atkins L (1987). A survey of vegetation and its relationship to vertebrate fauna present in winter on road verges in the Kellerberrin district, W.A.: report to Roadside Vegetation Conservation Committee. 18, 37 p.

1986

Algar D (1986). An ecological study of macropodid marsupial species on a reserve. Thesis (PhD) - University of Western Australia. 238 p.