Australian government declares war on feral cats in bid to save native animals

Greg Hunt's plan to cull two million feral cats and create native animal safe havens receives cautious welcome from environmental groups

The Australian government has pledged to kill two million feral cats and create new safe havens for native animals in an attempt to improve the fortunes of 20 mammal, 20 bird and 30 plant species that are at risk of extinction.

Federal environment minister, Greg Hunt, unveiled a five-year threatened species strategy at Melbourne zoo on Thursday, promising to "halt and reverse the threats to our magnificent endemic species".