Personal profile
Research interests
I am wildlife ecologist with 30 years of research and conservation management experience. I worked originally in behavioural and evolutionary ecology (evolution of sociality, mating systems, sex allocation, siblicide, intra-tropical migration). Over the past 20 years, my research interests have shifted to the research, monitoring and management of threats to biodiversity, especially to declining species. I am committed to merging science with policy and management delivery. My current research is carried out collaboratively with land managers and owners, including Indigenous groups, and government.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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2023 Rainmaker Co-investment – Cat management guided by Country
Murphy, B. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Davies, H. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Legge, S. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Ryan, S. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Hradsky, B. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A) & Ballard, G. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A)
1/07/24 → 31/12/27
Project: Research
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2023 Rainmaker Co-investment - Improving desert fire management with culturally directed science
Legge, S. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Murphy, B. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B) & Banks, S. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A)
1/07/23 → 30/06/27
Project: Research
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ARC LP100100033 - Mammal declines in northern Australia: science for conservation and recovery
Gordon, I. (Other), Johnson, C. (Other), Legge, S. (Other), Radford, I. (Other), Woinarski, J. (Other) & Lawes, M. (Chief Investigator C)
20/07/10 → 1/05/15
Project: Research
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DP250104149 How safe are island havens for biodiversity?
Banks, S. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Murphy, B. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Cremona, T. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Woinarski, J. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Legge, S. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Smith, B. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Whitehead, C. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A) & Kutt, A. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A)
1/01/25 → 31/12/28
Project: Research
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LP220200184 Improving desert fire management with culturally directed science
Legge, S. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Murphy, B. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B), Banks, S. (Chief Investigator C) & Lindsay, M. (Chief Investigator D)
10/11/23 → 10/11/27
Project: Research
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LP230200709 Cat management guided by Country
Murphy, B. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Davies, H. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B), Legge, S. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B), Ryan, S. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B), Hradsky, B. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B) & Ballard, G. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B)
1/07/24 → 30/06/27
Project: Research
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Measuring the habitat condition of desert and savanna vegetation integrating on-ground biodiversity survey data, drone and satellite remote sensing
Crabbe, R. (Principal Investigator/Chief Investigator A), Legge, S. (Co Investigator/Chief Investigator B) & Murphy, B. (Chief Investigator C)
1/03/24 → 1/03/26
Project: Research
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Using expert elicitation to predict feral cat, Felis catus, responses to management
Dorph, A., Legge, S., Penman, T. D., Cherubin, R., Elliot-Kerr, S., Marshall, E., Parkins, K. & Ballard, G. A., Jan 2026, In: Pest Management Science. 82, 5, p. 4488-4498 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Act for the best, prepare for the worst—Defining strategic mesopredator triggers that safeguard apex predator eradication benefits
Willacy, R., Legge, S. & McDonald-Madden, E., Mar 2025, In: Journal of Applied Ecology. 62, 3, p. 458-469 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)6 Downloads (Pure) -
Declines in greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) geographic range and realised niche are best explained by the invasive red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Geyle, H. M., Young, A. R., Murphy, B. P., Dickman, C. R., Schlesinger, C., Dixon, K. M., Moore, H., Legge, S., Silcock, J., Indigo, N., Dziminski, M., Greatwich, B., Newsome, T. M., Paltridge, R., Southgate, R., Arkinstall, C., Bradley, K., Central Land Council Rangers, Jackett, N. & Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Rangers & 15 others, , Feb 2025, In: Biological Conservation. 302, p. 1-13 13 p., 110872.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)85 Downloads (Pure) -
Estimating feral cat (Felis catus) population density in eastern Australia's subtropical rainforest using spatial capture-recapture incorporating unidentified individuals
McHugh, D., Hollanders, M., Legge, S. & Augustine, B. C., 20 Jan 2025, In: Wildlife Research. 52, 2, p. 1-9 9 p., WR24102.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)60 Downloads (Pure) -
Extensive fires in Australia’s northern spinifex deserts – investigating the 2023 ‘Black Spring’ and the influence of indigenous fire management
Fisher, R., Legge, S., Catt, G. & Cliff, H., 8 Aug 2025, In: International Journal of Wildland Fire. 34, 8 Collection: Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference, p. 1-12 12 p., WF25002.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)2 Downloads (Pure) -
Feral cats and habitat degradation drive mammal declines in northwestern Australia: An expert elicitation to prioritize management actions
Stobo-Wilson, A. M., Stevens, A., Legge, S. M., Murphy, B. P., Richards, A. E., Pavey, C., Bush, K., Cameron, S. F., Corey, B., Cremona, T., Curtis, J., Davies, H., Fisher, A., Guymala, T., Hill, B., James, A., Mahney, T., Martin, N., Myers, C. & Nicholls, D. & 8 others, , Aug 2025, In: Conservation Science and Practice. 7, 8, p. 1-18 18 p., e70098.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Feral cat video collars reveal differences in hunting behaviour between mammal, reptile and insect prey
McGregor, H. W., Johnson, C. N., Legge, S., Nimmo, D. G. & Moseby, K. E., Jul 2025, In: Biological Conservation. 310, p. 1-10 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure)
Press/Media
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Pet cats killing 323 mn native Australian animals annually: Report
9/06/23
14 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Victorian Coalition pledges to end brumby culling if it wins election
7/06/22 → 8/06/22
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Cat-dependent diseases cost Australian economy 6 bln each year
16/10/20
3 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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MIL-Evening Report: Australia must control its killer cat problem. A major new report explains...
9/02/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Cats could be BANNED from going outside under new rules in Australia - here's what pet owners need to know
28/12/21
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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NSW Councils slammed for cruel policy as debate rages over threat cats pose to wildlife
15/01/23
4 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Zero extinction target for NSW national parks welcomed by environment groups
6/09/21
3 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research