Birds, Cats & Coyotes: trap-neuter & related efforts fail to

[findi]

Hi All,
Bird owners are usually concerned with the welfare of wild species, so today I’d like to focus on an under-appreciated conservation concern, feral cat predation upon birds. Recent studies have shown that “trap-neuter-release” programs, collars with bells, and other popular control methods are failing to protect wildlife.
Although estimates of cat numbers vary widely, it is certain that feral and free-roaming house cats in the USA kill millions of native birds, reptiles and amphibians and billions of mammals yearly. Read article here: http://bitly.com/LqjsRo
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Thanks, Frank

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[Tintola]

Thanks Frank, Very relevant here in Australia.

[findi]

Thanks Frank, Very relevant here in Australia.

My pleasure, and thank you. I once came across a study showing that feral cats survive without any access to standing water in some Australian habitats; lizards, birds and sm mammals supply all their needs. Another population, stranded off the Falklands when a ship went aground, is the southernmost population of any non-marine mammal; they survive despite the cold, feeding entirely upon sea birds. Yet here in the US many people (usually in/near lg cities) will brave terrible weather to make sure that local feral cat populations "get enough to eat"!....they'll be here long after us, I'm sure! (I have worked with a number of wild cat species, incidentally, and am very interested in their natural history & conservation, but this issue is not well understood, at least in much of the US).

Best, Frank

[jusdeb]

Most cat owners are aware I think that nuetering has little effect on cats .The instinct to kill over powers all.

[vettepilot_6]

Most cat owners are aware I think that nuetering has little effect on cats .The instinct to kill over powers all.

of course neutering dosen't work...there not having sex with their prey.. they're eating them

[desertbirds]

Hi All,
Bird owners are usually concerned with the welfare of wild species, so today I’d like to focus on an under-appreciated conservation concern, feral cat predation upon birds.

WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR FINDI.WE DONT UNDER APPRECIATE IT ALL - particulary me who lives in the desert and sees the destruction these vermin cause daily .Sorry for yelling but you`re a long way away, and some folk refuse to accept the damage that the family pet can do.

[Finch_Breeder]

Most cat owners are aware I think that nuetering has little effect on cats .The instinct to kill over powers all.

of course neutering dosen't work...there not having sex with their prey.. they're eating them

[findi]

Hi All,
Bird owners are usually concerned with the welfare of wild species, so today I’d like to focus on an under-appreciated conservation concern, feral cat predation upon birds.

WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR FINDI.WE DONT UNDER APPRECIATE IT ALL - particulary me who lives in the desert and sees the destruction these vermin cause daily .Sorry for yelling but you`re a long way away, and some folk refuse to accept the damage that the family pet can do.

Ha!...well said, thanks. I have to yell also, even to those close at hand! Best, Frank