Dr Jaime Heiniger

Jaime is an applied ecologist with the Practical Ecology, Science and Technology (PEST) research team at the School of Environmental and Rural Science and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Jaime’s research within the PEST research team focuses on developing effective management strategies for feral cats in NSW Environments. The team’s research compares the impact of experimental feral cat management with ‘business as usual’ management at four sites in the Northern Tablelands to determine the techniques’ efficacy for feral cat control and safety for a selection of priority native species, including quolls, bandicoots and possums.

Before joining the PEST research team Jaime worked with the Northern Territory Government for two years as a senior ecologist investigating the status and distribution of native mammals and feral cats on Groote Eylandt and the uptake of ‘Hisstory’ feral cat baits by native species. Jaime completed her PhD investigating the ecology and reproduction of the northern quoll on Groote Eylandt at the University of Queensland.

Jaime’s research interests lie in understanding marsupial and dasyurid ecology and reproductive biology, and the efficacy of feral animal control strategies for conservation outcomes. She has experience in the design and implementation of surveys to detect change in density, understand population demographics and spatial ecology, determine uptake of feral cat baits by native species and assess correlation between a number of environmental variables and mammal distribution. She has worked extensively in remote communities, forging lasting relationship with Land Councils, Ranger groups and communities through school visits, community barbeques, and community newsletters.