The Biodiversity Council welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on an application to include Bengal cat, a hybrid animal of a domestic cat (Felis catus) and an Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), for non-commercial household pet purposes in the Live Import List under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The proposal to allow the import of Bengal cats into Australia poses significant ecological and biosecurity risks. Despite a requirement that imported Bengals be at least five generations removed from their wild ancestor (Asian leopard cat), these animals may still retain traits that increase their likelihood of establishing in the wild and threatening native wildlife.

The Biodiversity Council recommends that the Australian Government rejects the application to include Bengal cats on the live import list.

Our key concerns are outlined below:

1. Risk of them becoming part of Australia’s feral cat population;
2. High invasive potential.

Read the full submission for more details.