Cat raises passions. The controversy surrounding this cat and its impact on biodiversity confronts scientists, environmentalists, owners and lovers of these animals. The last change in this conflict occurred in Poland. A nature conservation science organization has declared the cat an “exotic invasive species” for its “devastating damage” to biodiversity.. The reaction of the advocates of cats did not take long: they demand the immediate removal of the species from this list.
‘warShe was fired when the Nature Conservation Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences listed the cat as a cat. invasive species number 1,787 of the national database managed by this institution.
The leaders of the Polish institute hastened to explain the reason for their decision. They openly say: “Because there is clear scientific evidence of the negative impact of the domestic cat on natural biodiversityshould be classified as an invasive alien species in our country. This view is in line with the view formulated by the invasive alien species team as part of the European Commission’s activities.
The Polish institution’s decision coincides with the assessments of a group of Spanish scientists who recently emphasized that. the medium-term goal of environmental laws should be “the disappearance of feral cats”.including cat colonies”.
Polish and Spanish scientists therefore reflect the results of the numerous studies that have revealed this. The domestic cat is involved in more than a quarter of the modern generation of birds, mammals and reptiles worldwide.and consider this most harmful invasive predator for biodiversity.
Disease vector and reservoir
Predation by cats most important cause of death of small mammals and birdsReview the latest scientific research before crushing animals, poisoning them, or human predators.
Also, contrary to popular belief, well-bred colony cats still hunt wild prey, and due to their high density, stray stray cats often exert several times greater impact on prey populations than domestic predators. Finally, cats act as vectors and reservoirs of numerous diseases endanger wildlife and harm public health.
According to the latest study published in ‘Global Change Biology’, feral cats have already caused the extinction of 33 animal species. They also threaten 8% of species listed as “Critically Endangered” globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Scientists predict that In the United States alone, cats are responsible for the deaths of 1.4 to 3.7 billion birds and 6.9 to 20.7 billion mammals each year.. In Poland, cats kill about 140 million birds each year.
In island environments, the movement of these felines has contributed to the extinction of at least 14% of vertebrates. At the global level, the island regions most affected by the movements of cats are the Galapagos (Ecuador), Hawaii (United States), some Caribbean islands and the Canary Islands.
The data obtained by scientists show that The biodiversity of the two Spanish archipelagos has been greatly affected by the movements of cats.. It currently poses the greatest danger to the continuation of the generation. La Gomera’s giant lizardone of the most endangered reptiles on the planet.
Manage cat populations
As for birds, they are among the species hunted by cats in the Canary Islands. bulwer’s birdsthreatened with extinction, rabiche and turquoise pigeons, Gran Canaria blue finch and canary stone chat. impact on the Balearic Islands, balearic minute hand.
So why aren’t cats included in the European Union’s (EU) list of invasive alien species? Because they do not meet all the necessary criteria. In addition, due to the extensive presence of the species in domestication and in the natural environment, “it is unlikely to effectively prevent, minimize or mitigate the impact of the inclusion of the domestic cat on the EU list,” the researchers explain. Polish scientists
Although the inclusion of the cat in the list of invasive species does not necessitate obtaining permission to adopt or taking corrective measures such as population control, Polish researchers call for efforts to “reduce the negative impact of the domestic cat on the native fauna”..
EU law, local, regional and national authorities measures to manage feral cat populations. This is what the Polish institute recommends to protect biodiversity in the country.
Some experts recommend capturing, neutering and returning stray cats. Others believe it should be eliminated entirely.
To the criticism of declaring the cat an exotic species Available in Poland for thousands of yearsThe rectors of the Nature Conservation Institute explain that it was domesticated about 10,000 years ago between the Nile Valley and Southern Mesopotamia. “Well, from a purely scientific point of view, it should be considered an exotic species in Europe and therefore also in Poland.“, they underline.
Reference report: https://www.iop.krakow.pl/ias/problem/czesto-zadawane-pytania