I've read that cats are one of several introduced species that have
overpopulated Oz. Seems a shame to lose all the native critters because of
them. We face the same problem in the US, often in waterways that have
become populated with nonnative species of fish and crustaceans, but also
in plant species (duckweed and kudzu come to mind), and oh yes, we can't
forget the insect world! (fire ants, Indonesian termites, and African bees
for example).
I was not trying to minimize the problem but point out that it is quite
common when humans enter the picture. I was recently reading (National
Geography?) about the problems with water availability around the world,
and was shocked to find how many industrialized nations face a serious
shortage. The article went on to mention that of all agricultural uses,
cows and their feed were the biggest gluttons. Who would have thought?
Now for the question. Should we try to maintain the status quo as it used
to be or just assume that the process of survival of the fittest is at
work? :-)
Gregg
John added:
Gregg,
I share this bloke's world and when it comes to cats, his sentiments too.
We've had about twenty ring-tailed possums and a dozen wattle birds all
decapitated and disemboweled by a single cat over an eighteenth month
period. I trapped the little darling once but he managed to get out and of
course became trap-shy for any subsequent attempts. He's not around
anymore, I think some other irritated neighbour may have ended his days
more successfully.
The problem of course is that a few misguided cat lovers seem to think that
pussy should be allowed to hunt outside at night with the result that
unique Australian fauna is being decimated.
I'll get off my soap box now...
Regards,
John.
Sounds like they are almost as hard on the environment and humans as cows.
Gregg
Andrew wrote:
>And in my world, cats are a serious feral pest which decimate native
>wildlife and carry serious diseases like toxoplasmosis (causes blindness
in
>children, brain damage in other species). Aboriginals eat them I believe
>(good tucker) - although they're hard to catch. I could probably get some
>recipes if you're interested.
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