Seasonal Movement Patterns of Urban Domestic Cats Living on the Edge in an African City DOI Creative Commons
Robert E. Simmons, Colleen L. Seymour,

Sharon T. George

et al.

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(6), P. 1013 - 1013

Published: March 10, 2023

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are amongst the most destructive invasive vertebrates globally, depredating billions of native animals annually. The size and seasonal variation their geographical "footprint" is key to understanding effects on wildlife, particularly if they live near conservation areas. Here we report first GPS-tracking studies free-roaming owned in city Cape Town, South Africa. A total 23 was tracked (14 summer, 9 winter) using miniature (22 g) GPS locators 2010-2011. In all living urban-edge (UE: n = 7) made extensive use protected areas, while only one seven urban (U) (>150 m from edge) did so. winter two four UE five U entered Home ranges (95% kernel density estimates) were significantly larger summer (3.00 ± 1.23 ha) than (0.87 0.25 ventured further homes (maximum 849 m) (max 298 m). predation risk posed by caracal (Caracal caracal) may limit time spend but our results suggest that cat buffers around areas should be at least ~600 wide reduce impacts fauna.

Language: Английский

Provision of High Meat Content Food and Object Play Reduce Predation of Wild Animals by Domestic Cats Felis catus DOI Creative Commons
Martina Cecchetti, Sarah L. Crowley, Cecily Goodwin

et al.

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(5), P. 1107 - 1111.e5

Published: Feb. 11, 2021

Predation by domestic cats Felis catus can be a threat to biodiversity conservation,1-3 but its mitigation is controversial.4 Confinement and collar-mounted devices impede cat hunting success reduce numbers of animals killed,5 some owners do not wish inhibit what they see as natural behavior, perceive safety risks associated with collars, or are concerned about device loss ineffectiveness.6,7 In controlled replicated trial, we tested novel, non-invasive interventions that aim make positive contributions husbandry, alongside existing hunting. Households where high meat protein, grain-free food was provided, households 5-10 min daily object play introduced, recorded decreases 36% 25%, respectively, in captured brought home cats, relative controls the pre-treatment period. Introduction puzzle feeders increased 33%. Fitting Birdsbesafe collar covers reduced birds 42% had no discernible effect on mammals. Cat bells effect. Reductions predation made non-invasive, nutrition behavior their tendency hunt, rather than These measures likely find support among who welfare implications other interventions.

Language: Английский

Citations

57
What the Cat Dragged in: Quantifying Prey Return Rates of Pet Cats (Felis catus) With Outdoor Access in the UK DOI Creative Commons
Hannah L. Lockwood, Mark Bulling, Maren Huck

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Non-native predators can cause great harm to natural ecosystems through competition for resources and by directly predating on native species. Domestic cats (Felis catus) predate wild prey throughout the world have been implicated in a number of species declines. However, UK, long-term, widespread research is lacking. Here, study aimed (i) quantify returned home across country (ii) investigate factors which may influence these return rates. A predation survey was conducted 553 UK up 43 months (2018-2021), recording all subsequently detected cats' owners. All owners with outdoor access were encouraged participate, only exclusion criterion being indoor-only. Data gathered upon registration regarding age, sex, body condition participating cats, allowing analysis potential such factors. It estimated here that current population pet (10.8 million total) total between 37.25 140.4 per year, majority mammals (83% prey). Sex, along presence cat flap, whether bell worn, level urbanisation, season data collection had statistically important effect While most 0-1 month, small minority (n = 3 cats) over 15 individuals monthly. true rates (in addition found here) are further explored quantified, actual impact this has or does not populations. Future efforts limit should focus particular identifying super view limiting their predation.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
A review of the impacts of biological invasions in South Africa DOI
Brian W. van Wilgen, Tsungai A. Zengeya, David M. Richardson

et al.

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 24(1), P. 27 - 50

Published: Sept. 1, 2021

Language: Английский

Citations

44
Predation of wildlife by domestic cats in a Neotropical city: a multi-factor issue DOI
Isac Mella-Méndez, Rafael Flores‐Peredo, Juan David Amaya‐Espinel

et al.

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 24(5), P. 1539 - 1551

Published: Feb. 9, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

19
Biodiversity, Governance, and Municipal Bonds DOI
Yu Shi

SSRN Electronic Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

The paper shows that legislative changes are harmful to local biodiversity significantly impact municipal bond markets and associated with an increase in yields. also finds certain factors exacerbate this effect. analysis is based on a series of statewide regulatory shocks conservation biologists consider be detrimental conservation. These result laws hinder effective population management unowned cats—a well-known invasive species contributes loss. study employs state-border discontinuity approach, comparing yields issued by counties affected these those nearby not subject such laws. This the first examine biodiversity-related within finance. In doing so, it underscores economic significance measures advances finance research incorporates biodiversity.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
A landscape scale assessment of domestic cat occurrence in boreal forests DOI Creative Commons
Øyvind Skarsgard Nyheim, Asunción Semper‐Pascual, John Oddén

et al.

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

Abstract Domestic cats ( Felis catus ), both feral animals and pets, are a major threat to biodiversity. While domestic closely associated with human residences activity, they also range into impact natural areas. We still know little about how free‐ranging use semi‐natural quantified cat occurrence at 405 forest sites in Norway over 3 years using occupancy modeling, tested patterns were influenced by relevant landscape variables. Cat decreased increasing distance from residential houses, being >60% within 50 m of the nearest house, but even 1000 distance, exceeded 10%. When present forests, more likely be detected close edges. Detection probability was lowest declined steeply increased edge during winter, when temperature, vegetation cover, prey availability their lowest. conclude that may pose areas like forests considerable distances residences. encourage further studies investigate role characteristics environmental conditions on habitat penetration pet cats.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
When pets go wild: Integrating DNA metabarcoding and morphological analyses to investigate the impacts of free-ranging cats (Felis catus) on oceanic islands DOI Creative Commons

Alexandra Galão,

Elena J. Soto,

João Nunes

et al.

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 305, P. 111089 - 111089

Published: March 12, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Temporal and Spatial Patterns of Plant Consumption by the World’s Southernmost Parrot in Natural and Urban Environments DOI Creative Commons
Rocío Bahía, Sergio A. Lambertucci, Karina L. Speziale

et al.

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 14, 2025

Abstract Urbanization and plant species introduction disrupt the plant-animal interactions generate novel ecosystems, which wildlife requires certain behavioural plasticity to live in. The Austral parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus), an endemic parrot of Andean-Patagonian forest that frequents natural urban environments. We aim 1) describe seasonal foraging dynamics parakeets native introduced plants in environments, 2) differentiate use selection plants. In areas Bariloche city (Argentina) we conducted focal observations feeding, registered resource availability phenology during a year. Parakeets interacted with 37 species, both introduced. consumed three times more than whereas opposite occurred. every season but spring, number preying on was explained by interaction between origin environment. highest abundance parrots coincided peaks food availability, although selected varied across habitat type scale study. discuss value each environment for parakeets, variables could explain or plants, conservation strategies populations ecosystems services they provide.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Pinpointing bird species vulnerability to free-ranging domestic cats using trait-based predictive models DOI
Martin Philippe‐Lesaffre, Elsa Bonnaud

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 174, P. 113434 - 113434

Published: April 15, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
THE COSMOPOLITICS OF CATS AND WILDLIFE ON CAPE TOWN'S URBAN EDGE DOI Creative Commons
Nicoli Nattrass, Zoë Woodgate,

Benjamin S. Wittenberg

et al.

International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 21, 2025

Abstract Free‐ranging cats are widely tolerated in cities, and animal welfare organizations increasingly allow for ‘trap, neuter release’ (TNR) of unowned cats. We show, using the example a university campus adjacent to national park large metropole, that this has implications cosmopolitics over biodiversity on urban edge. A camera trap survey showed were most abundant medium/large mammal species, some individuals hunted within protected area competed with other native predators. Despite concerns from ecologists biologists (who favoured precautionary approach cat management), policymakers status quo (supporting colonies TNR'd cats), noting useful pest rodent control no extinction threats wildlife evident. This outcome, we suggest, reflects long‐standing multi‐species assemblage humans, rodents cats, appreciation as hunters pets. It also points limits ecological information resolving which species should be allowed flourish. Yet study shows systematic data collection photographic evidence can help render lives visible (including their predators competitors) assist policy deliberation.

Language: Английский

Citations

0