Hi Craig and others,
a quick google search reveals
http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/cat-impacts/
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Predation+by+feral+cats+-+key+threatening+process+declaration
Also see
Aust Vet J. 1998 Aug;76(8):551-4.
Survey of predation by domestic cats.
Robertson ID.
Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University,
Western Australia.
OBJECTIVES: To calculate the proportion of house cats which were
observed by their owners to have caught prey and to describe the
characteristics of these cats. DESIGN AND PROCEDURE: A telephone
questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected population of 458
cat owners in metropolitan Perth. Specific questions were asked about
demographic characteristics, habits and diets of the cats, and whether
the owners had observed their cats catch prey in the 12 month period
preceding the survey. RESULTS: The owners of 36% of 644 cats had
observed their cats with prey in the 12 month period preceding the
survey. Cats which spent more time outside, were neutered, cross-bred,
originated from households with only one or two cats or were not fed
meat were significantly more likely to be observed to predate. The body
condition and diet (other than feeding meat) of cats did not influence
the reported frequency of predation. CONCLUSION: Although cats are only
one factor involved in the reduction in the numbers and diversity of
Australian wildlife, restriction of the outside activities of cats is
likely to diminish predation, particularly in areas close to native
vegetation.
Craig Williams wrote:
>
> I respect cats. Their claws, and perverse appetites for anything that
> moves in an idiosyncratic manner.
>
> I've been reading a bit lately about the question of felix in Australian
> eocological contexts and it seems that there's the odd punter willing to
> argue that cats are actually pivotal to ecologies in some vague,
> half-(arsed) "systemic" sense, with some advancing the line that cats
> don't eat much "native" stuff at all, or at least not with any
> significant effect. I've my doubts, but how is the matter of hard
> "scientific" evidence of the proclivities of kitties demonstrated
> currently.
>
> Any scientists out there willing to join the fray: I'm dead keen to hear
> all arguments on this little number. There really ought to be enough
> qualified operators out there to commence publishing material that
> refutes the claim that cat's don't consume local wildlife/birds: surely
> scat analyses exist en masse demonstrating the complexity of the
> situation?
>
> Craig Williams
>
> [Cat title (Sometimes acquaintance of cats known by others as pets)]
>
> >>> Carl Clifford <> 12/01/04 4:33 PM >>>
> Dear All,
> Unfortunately, most bells used are ineffective due to their size. For
> the average cat, one of approx. 1 Kg is most suitable.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Carl Clifford
>
> PS. I actually do like cats!
> CC
> On 01/12/2004, at 1:31 PM, J Rose wrote:
>
> > My border collie (also a twitcher) and I rescued a crested pigeon from
>
> > the neighbour's cat on Saturday evening around dusk. We live on a
> > 2-acre block at Highvale (around 35ks n/w of Brisbane cbd). The moggie
>
> > was toying with the capture up the back of our block and my dog came
> > in the house barking for me to take a look. Of course the cat took off
>
> > as we approached and I was able to rescue the CP. Unfortunately the
> > dog was unable to catch the cat!!
> >
> >
> >
> > The CP was missing all but 4 tail feathers and plenty of down feathers
>
> > from around the anal region. Very little blood though and no puncture
> > marks so I dabbed it with some Betadine in the appropriate places and
> > took it off to our wonderful wildlife carer for some R & R where it
> > has lived through the initial shock (which is the usual killer), and
> > has survived to day 4. Hopefully in around a month's time I will be
> > able to release it back in this vicinity.
> >
> >
> >
> > A peculiar aspect of this episode though is to attest to the fact that
>
> > the cat was wearing a collar with bells and serves to prove a
> > suspicion that I've had for some time: -
> >
> > I'm certain that after wearing these bell collars for some
>
> > time, cats learn to hunt and stalk without them 'ringing'.
> >
> >
> >
> > Anyone have any comments in this??
> >
> >
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > John
> >
> >
>
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