In 2015, the Australian government set forth a plan to kill two million feral cats by 2020. The cats, which are not native to the continent, have threatened Australia's indigenous wildlife, killing 377 million birds and 649 million reptiles a year, the New York Times reports.

While the undertaking is not new, it's now gaining attention due to the Times' recent profile and the surprising methods used to kill cats, which include airdropping poisoned sausages over areas where the feral cats roam. The sausages are made out of kangaroo meat, chicken fat, and a mix of herbs and spices, along with a poison that kills cats within 15 minutes of consumption, per The Sun.

The sausage recipe was developed by Dr. Dave Algar, a research scientist in the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions for the state of Western Australia. He created the recipe based on the cat foods he saw in the supermarket and which foods his own pets prefer—"They've got to taste good. They are the cat's last meal," he told the Times.

While the government received pushback from animal rights groups and celebrities like Brigitte Bardot and the singer Morrissey, they have stuck with the plan, reiterating that the cats are threatening local species like the burrowing bettong (a cousin to the kangaroo), crescent nailtail wallaby, and the big-eared hopping mouse. Since feral cats' introduction, they've driven 20 mammal species to extinction, CNN reports.

Madison Flager Lifestyle Editor Madison Flager is the Lifestyle Editor at Delish.com; she covers food news and trends, travel-worthy food experiences, and the products you need in your kitchen right now.

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