Prof Peter Klinken AC has been appointed as Chair of the Western Australian Feral Cat Working Group, taking over from Susan Hunt AM PSM who steps down after a four-year tenure.
Prof Klinken is well known as Western Australia’s previous Chief Scientist, a position he held for 11 years until 2025. With a PhD in Biochemistry, he has provided scientific leadership to the state across diverse fields. He was inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame in 2025 and is passionate about the environment, education, innovation and Indigenous culture.
The Working Group brings together key stakeholders from all backgrounds to enhance outcomes for native biodiversity through improved cat management in Western Australia. Working across three pillars – accessible information, prioritised research and coordinated management – the Working Group is an independent voice for change and a facilitator of impact.
Prof Klinken’s engagement with the Working Group is long standing. He opened one of the workshops that produced the state’s prioritised research plan for improving the management of cats. He was also a speaker at the inaugural Feral Cat Symposium held in 2018.
Prof Klinken joins the Working Group at a time where there is considerable opportunity to improve cat management and strong interest in seeing this happen without delay. His appointment coincides with renewed funding for the group, and a portfolio of initiatives, collaborations and advocacy that are leading to improvements for pet, stray, and feral cat management in Western Australia.
Quote attributable to new WAFCWG Chair, Prof Peter Klinken AC:
“The Western Australian Feral Cat Working Group has been a leading contributor to progress on best practice management of cats in Australia, and a focal point for activity here in Western Australia over many years. I look forward to the opportunity to take on the role of Chair for the Working Group and help build on the momentum already underway. There are few ways in which we can make a greater difference to our native fauna and animal welfare more broadly, than improving cat management.”
Quote attributable to former WAFCWG Chair, Susan Hunt AM PSM:
“It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of the Working Group over the past 4 years. The work of the Group and of very many organisations across the State has been extraordinary, as on-ground projects, knowledge, research and scholarship in feral cat management have grown. We now also see increased understanding and commitment from our community about the importance of responsible cat ownership and the impact of cats on our unique native wildlife. The Working Group has been important to collaboration and action in feral cat management across the State and will continue to be so. I wish Professor Klinken and the Working Group well in their future work.”
Quote attributable to Dr Bruce Webber, Executive, WA Feral Cat Working Group:
“We are very pleased to have Peter Klinken join us as the new Chair of the WA Feral Cat Working Group. Peter brings to the role an enthusiasm for biodiversity conservation and a long history of leading high impact collaborations. On behalf of the Working Group and its member organisations, I sincerely thank Susan Hunt for her exceptional leadership during her tenure. Susan’s leadership has played a central role in the group becoming a major contributor to the cat management agenda nationally, and the touch point for cat management activities in Western Australia.”
ENDS
Media Contact: Bruce Webber, Executive, WAFCWG | [email protected]