Feral cats responsible for the deaths of nearly 1500 native animals each year will be culled in their millions to save Australian species like the critically endangered bandicoot.
The federal government has committed to a plan for euthanising two million feral cats by 2020, because it says they pose the biggest threat to native Australian fauna.
Threatened Species Commissioner Gregory Andrews - appointed to the post in July 2014 when the government launched the animal protection program - says there are 500 projects across Australia to protect native wildlife.
"Every feral cat we cull saves 1400 native animals a year from a cruel death," he told AAP on Friday.
"Science shows feral cats kill at least four native animals per day."
Mr Andrews was joined by federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt, who said their killing of feral cuts was humane: "they either go to sleep, or we shoot them".
"There are no slow deaths."
Mr Andrews said in one area where feral cats have been culled, the pigmy possum juvenile population and the number of bandicoots have already increased.
Dogs were being trained and used to sniff out wild cats, he said.
The Turnbull government has committed to saving 40 endangered mammals and birds, in addition to 30 types of invaluable native flora.
The eastern barred bandicoot, the mahogany glider, the western ringtail possum, black-footed rock wallaby, the cassowary and the swift parrot are just some of the animals under fierce protection.
Mr Hunt was confident the target of two million cats culled in just four years could be reached.
"We are truly lucky to share this continent with so many wonderful and distinctly Australian animals. and plants.
"It is our duty to care for them, so our bilbies, numbats, quolls and other unique flora and fauna remain a living part of our culture," he said.
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