by ETX
The cat is an opportunistic predator capable of hunting a wide variety of species Photography Ondrej Prosicky / Getty Images©
With their big, expressive eyes and silky coats, we tend to forget the true predatory nature of cats. Whether domestic or wild, these small predators play a considerable role in the disappearance of tens of billions of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians around the world every year.
Cats have fascinated mankind for thousands of years. Introduced into our lives 11,000 years ago to protect grain reserves from rodents, they quickly became indispensable companions, on a par with dogs. However, the cat's hunting instinct, combined with the unprecedented expansion of cat populations worldwide, now represents a growing threat to the balance of biodiversity. Their presence has become a serious threat in Australia, where this small feline is contributing to the dramatic decline of several native mammal species.
To assess the real impact of feral cats on Australia's wildlife, researchers from the University of New South Wales and the University of Adelaide carried out DNA analyses to precisely identify the predators responsible for the killing of reintroduced animals at two conservation sites in South Australia. Their study focused on several species, including brush-tailed possums, western quolls, bilbies and bettongs. The results, published in the journal Australian Mammalogy, are unequivocal: of the 389 animals released, 74 were killed by feral cats, ie, almost 20%. In detail, three species managed to survive, albeit in reduced numbers, while the bettongs were totally wiped out.
Accurately identifying the cause of death of these animals has always been a challenge for researchers. Until now, they have relied on clues left behind, such as bite marks or traces found on tracking collars. However, these methods proved unreliable. To refine their analysis, the scientists compared DNA evidence with that collected in the field. The results revealed that predation by feral cats was far more common than previously thought. Veterinarians also carried out post-mortem examinations, which confirmed the presence of feline bites on many carcasses, validating the effectiveness of the genetic approach. However, even this technique was unable to identify all the victims. "The DNA is good, but it's not infallible, and a lot of that is because we’re trying to get DNA from cat saliva found on the carcass, and that's quite difficult because DNA degrades quickly in the environment," says study coauthor Professor Katherine Moseby, quoted in a news release.
These discoveries reinforce the concerns of scientists, who fear the extinction of certain native species within a few years if drastic measures are not put in place to better control the feral cat population in Australia. While the impact of these felines is now better understood, controlling them remains a major challenge. Indeed, the fight against these predators is particularly arduous, as current methods are still limited. "Until we develop genetic tools or other broadscale methods targeted at feral cats, we can only rely on intensely managing them as best we can," says Katherine Moseby.
Fluffy friends... and killing machines
The Australian government has elevated feral cats to the status of pests of "national significance" and is waging a declared "war" against them. Many people perceive these cats as a threat to local wildlife and support drastic control measures. Yet the culling of animals remains a sensitive issue, all the more so when the creatures targeted resemble the mischievous felines that have conquered our homes and taken over social networks.
Australia is not alone in considering cats an ecological threat, despite their harmless appearance. Worldwide, cats have contributed to the extinction of 63 species of mammals, reptiles and birds over five centuries, according to a 2016 study in the megajournal, PNAS. Indeed, the impact of their domesticated counterparts can be just as fearsome. Every year, they kill between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds and 6.9 to 20.7 billion small mammals in the United States, according to a study published in 2013 in the journal, Nature. In France, the League for the Protection of Birds estimates that cats are responsible for the death of 75 million birds a year.
The cat is a formidable predator, all the more so as it is an opportunist capable of hunting a wide variety of species. From mice and voles to chickadees and wall lizards, their diet is varied, and their agility and speed give them a privileged place in the food chain. Although the domestic cat readily moderates its hunting impulses when fed regularly by its owner, it retains a strong predatory instinct. They devote almost three hours a day to stalking prey, claiming an average of 30 victims a year. This figure rises to 270 for a stray cat and 1,070 for a feral cat, according to the French League for the Protection of Birds.
So how can we curb the bloodlust of these furry beasts? Several solutions exist to reduce their impact on small wild creatures. Sterilization, for example, reduces roaming, while the creation of natural refuges in gardens (tall grasses, wild hedges, etc.) offers animals shelter in case of danger. As far as stray or wild cats are concerned, it's best not to feed them, to limit the influx of new individuals. Although these measures cannot totally eliminate predation, they can be combined to limit its effects. It's up to each and every one of us to adopt the solutions best suited to our cat, our neighbor's cat or our environment. Because if we want to preserve biodiversity, maybe it's time to see our felines as more than just cute companions.
Reference
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