Kittty, Kitty, Kitty! They may be cute and lovable but a new report by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service says that cats kill billions of animals every year. Published in Nature Communications, a study by the Wildlife Service, conducted by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, states that an estimated 3.7 Billion birds and as many as 20 Billion some animals are killed annually by unowned, feral cats. In an interview with NPR, Peter Marra of the Smithsonian said that the numbers ″are shockingly high.″ It is estimated that some 30 to 80 Million stray, unowned cats are responsible for the bulk of this carnage. That domestic cats kill billions of birds and animals is cause for some concern. We all appreciate house cats killing mice and other pests. But what will they do when they have depleted such prey? Will these feline predators seek out other game? Something to think about the next time you watch a You-Tube video of a cat playing a piano.
Personally, I like cats. There is an old saying, ″I′d rather pet a cat than a rat.″ So having stray cats about is a good thing in my opinion. Cats are deadly, but beautiful creatures, and very independent. You have to appreciate that! There is also that aurora of mystery about cats. You never know what they are thinking and they look so cute in the process.
Still, what can one say about this report that cats kill billions of birds and small animals? If these domestic cats, about 30 to 80 million unowned, feral cats in just the United States, are bumping off about 25 billion other creatures per year, that is a remarkable number. I seriously doubt if we are going to have a shortage of mice and birds any time soon. Despite the study published in Nature Communications, which was conducted by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute with a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, I don′t think we need to take any drastic action against our feline predators. This guy, Peter Marra, can crow all he wants over the fate of the birds and small animals. I won′t shed any tears for them as I stand with the killer cats! If only they could dispose of other pests in our society with equal vigor! So kick back and enjoy the crazy You-Tube cat video below. I could watch this one all day!
January 30th, 2013 at 10:24 am
Cats kill birds and mice!! Who knew!!!! This is earth shattering information. Iam so glad that the fish and wildlife are on the job giving us humans information we could never have seen for ourselves. Guess the fish and wildlife did not know that survival among the species has been worked out many moons ago by mother nature.
Have a dog and two cats. They get along with each other and are tons of fun and loveable. I think I will keep these killers.
January 30th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
More lunacy from the federal government by some agency trying to get more money for a fictitious problem. Anyone really believe there are 30 to 80 million feral cats in the USA? Is there a shortage of birds in your neighborhood?
January 30th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
“Pu$$y Kills !”
January 30th, 2013 at 8:40 pm
When my Cat gets near the bush a bird has a Nest in, the Bird Dive Bombs the Cat.
The Bird attacks from the Top of the Fence and the edge of the Rain Gutter. A span of 100 feet.
His attacks are perfectly rhythmic in their timing.
the Cat positions himself exactly in the middle. He Waits, all the while gauging the timing.
Then, without even looking, he yawns and reaches up at the precise moment the bird is on him.
Nuttin’ but a pathetic pile of feathers left.
Beau Beau Boy has done his work.
January 30th, 2013 at 8:58 pm
And then he leaves the trophy in your shoe
January 31st, 2013 at 7:27 am
Anybody know the name of the song and band that is played in the video???
January 31st, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Cat scratch fever?
January 31st, 2013 at 4:18 pm
Can’t help w/ the song. Katy Perry ?
( The intro sounds like they sampled some James Bondian soundtrack )
But, the video is a HOOT !
January 31st, 2013 at 5:03 pm
The Nazz – ‘ If That’s The Way You Feel ‘ ( 4:55 )
1968
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsvCVmUzx10