Cats are killing wildlife in the billions.
Cats are one of the top threats to
US wildlife, a study suggests. The authors estimate feral cats are responsible
for the deaths of between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds and 6.9-20.7 billion
mammals annually.
Birds native to the US, such as
the American Robin, were most at risk, and mice, shrews, voles, squirrels and
rabbits were the mammals most likely to be killed.
I love cats—furry, cute, adorable
cats. House cats. My first Siamese, Simba used to stand on my foot, look up
into my eyes and give a low yowl. I'd bend down to stroke him as we connected.
Sometimes, he'd tenderly clamp onto my leg, all the while expressing love. I
remember the fuzzy feeling to this day.
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Although strays, feral cats and
farm cats, are responsible for the bulk of the deaths, domestic cats play a
part too. The study suggests that a properly fitted collar with a bell will
give their prey more warning.
The domestic cat's killer instinct
has been well documented on many islands around the world. Felines accompanying
their human companions have gone on to decimate local wildlife, and they have
been blamed for the global extinction of 33 species.
A parasite carried in cat's feces
is even killing sea otters when the hard casing is washed out through the
waterways. The danger has been noted already for expectant mothers, who become
infected while changing cat litter.
To act more responsibly, we should
keep out cats indoors. That way, we reduce the chance of them being infected by
eating contaminated birds or rodents.
My darling Siamese, Simba, died a
lonely death in the fields close to our home when I lived in Robe, South
Australia. He went missing one day, back in the 1970's. Our family of five
searched for days. On the forth day, one of the children came running home to
tell us he'd found Simba hidden in long grass under a tree. We took the comatose
cat to the vet, but he died of dehydration and the poison from a grass snake. Must
have been hunting. Wildlife had the last word.
