Brilliant news today with the announcement by Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, that Savannah Cats will not be allowed into Australia.
The Minister has used his powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to amend the definition of domestic cat to rule out cats with genes from the Serval. Good on him. I'm not sure of the details yet, but that should be enough to discourage others contemplating bringing exotic "pets" with wild genes into the country to think again. The potential cost to Australia's environment is simply too high.
Apparently, the Department considered 549 submissions, and 526 of these supported a ban - that's an extraordinary response to a wildlife issue. It shows people value our unique environment and don't want it put at further risk.
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