A new report by the Wildlife Conservation Society indicates that wild tiger populations have hit a historical low throughout their range.  WCS has asked the Obama administation to step up to the plate and try to do something about this serious conservation crisis. 

I, for one, find it sadly ironic that–in this country–we are debating the fate of millions of non-native feral cats that kill our native wildlife (as well as spending millions of dollars to keep each and every one of them alive)–when one of the most popular and charismatic of all wild cats may disappear from our planet forever. As far as having misdirected priorities, feral cat advocates really take the cake.

Michael Hutchins feral cats, invasive species, wildlife conservation

In a recent editorial on his personal website/blog (Vox Felina), Peter Wolf spends an inordinate amount of time penning a long letter to me about feral cat management.  He takes issue with the fact that feral cats are a menace to wildlife and, although he is not a biologist himself, he also takes issue with the extensive and growing peer-reviewed literature on this topic that clearly indicates that they are.  He even questions the veracity of the peer review process.

I thought long and hard about writing a detailed response, but frankly decided I have many more important things to do, some of which may have a direct bearing on wildlife conservation. I’m going to let other wildlife professionals respond to his letter through this blog and just simply state the following:

Dear Peter:

(1) Please do not continue to attack the science in your personal blog. Anyone can say anything they want on the Internet, whether it is valid or not, but most people know that the source of information matters. If you feel strongly that you have valid data that contradicts that of the peer-reviewed literature on feral cats, then submit it for publication where it can be evaluated by experts in the field. I note that the Society for Conservation Biology’s editors apparently rejected one of your submissions, likely due to a lack of any scientific support for its conclusions. You can continue to suggest that you are the victim of some sort of conspiracy, but we all know that is not true.

(2) You point out some of the rare problems with the peer review process. All I can say is that cases of scientific misbehavior are very rare and dealt with in the most severe manner possible. The goal of science is to seek objective truth. Scientists have strong ethical guidelines on which to model their behavior; those who cheat will likely never work in the field or be taken seriously again. That is one reason that science is among the most self-correcting of all human endeavors. Charles Darwin once said: “Great is the power of steady misrepresentation. but the history of science shows how, fortunately, this power does not long endure.” Feral cat advocates should pay particular attention to the wisdom of Darwin’s statement.

(3) There is a reason why numerous highly-regarded professional and scientific societies and conservation organizations, including The Wildlife Society, the American Society of Mammalogists, the Wildlife Disease Association, Audubon, American Bird Conservancy, and many others (even including  PeTA, one of the most radical of animal rights groups) reject TNR management due to: (a) the well-documented impact of non-native feral cats on native wildlife, (b) the dangerous diseases they can spead to both humans and wildlife,  and (c) the fact that the lives of free roaming cats are substantially shorter than cats kept indoors under human care.

(4) Professional biologists, ecologists and conservationists do not hate cats, as you and some other cat advocates try to portray. In fact, we have great respect for life and nature and have dedicated our entire lives and careers to ensuring a future for native wildlife and their habitats in a world dominated by human influences. We recognize that feral cats are one of those negative influences that must be addressed if our native wildlife, including many endangered species,  are to have a future. TNR has not been effective in reducing the number of cats or their impact on wildlife, and it is clearly time for things to change.

Michael Hutchins Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management and Conservation, Wildlife disease, feral cats, invasive species, wildlife conservation

A recent article in the Park Rapids (Minnesota) Enterprise.com by Jason Durham discusses the dangers that exotic fishing bait may pose to native ecosystems. In fact, most people are not aware that the worms in our backyards or that are used as fishing bait, especially those we know as ”nightcrawlers” and “angle worms”,  are exotic species, transported from Europe or Asia.  Yet, these ecological interloppers can be destructive to forests by eating the “duff”–decomposing leaves lying on the surface of the forest floor. This duff helps to prevent soil erosion and is a source of nutrients  that facilitates the growth of hardwood trees.

There is probably no way that we could conceiveably eliminate these introduced worms now–they are simply too widespread.  However, natural resource experts are worried about the possible introduction of even more exotic worm species into our ecosystems as the result of recreational fishing. Though worms, such as nightcrawlers, are legal to use as bait, their introduction into soil is illegal in Minnesota and other states.  The basic message to anglers is don’t dump your unused bait in either soil or water.

Michael Hutchins Fishing, invasive species

I’ve blogged about this topic before, but a recent article in the Chesapeake Bay Journal warns of the coming damage to the environment and our agricultural industry if something is not done about feral pigs now.  The problem is that nobody seems to be listening.  It is time for state and federal wildlife agencies to take serious measures to control or elimate these destructive exotics.  Hunters, in particular, could be the heros in this saga should they be allowed to hunt this species to extinction.  Every effort should, be made to shut down commercial hunting operations that import wild boar to prevent the possibility of future introductions.  And hunting should not be managed for long-term sustainability, but for major control or, if possible, complete elimination.

Michael Hutchins Feral pigs, Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management and Conservation, hunting, invasive species

The U.S. National Park Service plans to eradicate a population of introduced European rabbits from American Camp on San Juan Island in Washington State. More than 470 rabbits inhabit around 150 acres on park grounds and are having a significant impact on the islands unique prairie landscape and vegetation.  They are also damaging important historical sites in the park. Unfortunately, the NPS is apparently not planning to eradicate or control red fox populations that were introduced to control the introduced rabbits (when will we learn?).  This is yet another example of the need to remove exotic animals from sensitive areas where they do not belong.

Michael Hutchins National Parks, Wildlife management, invasive species

Feral domestic cats are a tremendous problem for native wildlife in North America, where they prey on millions of migratory birds, small mammals and other creatures annually, as well as spread diseases, such as rabies and toxoplasmosis to both people and wildlife. However, they present additional problems for conservation in Africa, home of the domestic cat’s ancestor, the African wild cat. Conservationists there also have to be worried about genetic introgression of feral cats with wild cats, which has the potential to eventually eliminate the wild cat as a distinct species.  Unlike feral cat advocates, such as Alley Cat Allies and HSUS,  in the United States, African biologists and conservationists are very clear about the animals’ invasive status and the risks they pose to native wildlife.

Michael Hutchins feral cats, invasive species, wildlife conservation

The Global Invasive Species Program, funded by the World Bank, has declared invasive species as one of the “top three threats” to the future of  life on our planet–another blow to feral horse and cat advocates in North America and a handful of scientists who have claimed that invasives are not all that bad.  A global survey of 57 countries found that, on average there are 50 invasive species per country that are having a deleterious impact on native biodiversity.

Control of invasive species populations is one of the primary sources of conflict between animal rights adocates and conservationists. Rights organizations, such as HSUS and others engage in legal action or protest in virtutally every case that control efforts are proposed. Finding solutions is the key to the future of life on our planet, including the many native endangerered species that are currently threatened with irreversible extinction due to the impacts of exotics. Wildlife professionals must do everything they can to educate the public about the need to eliminate or control populations of especially destructive exotics, such as feral cats, Burmese pythons and nutria.

Michael Hutchins invasive species, wildlife conservation

YOUNG BIRDS, RABBITS AND OTHER NEWBORN WILDLIFE EASY PREY FOR CATS

BETHESDA, MD — As young birds, rabbits and squirrels venture from their nests in early summer in their usual vulnerable and generally defenseless state, The Wildlife Society (TWS) and American Bird Conservancy (ABC) remind cat owners that even the most well-fed domestic cats pose serious threats to these small and newly born wildlife. At the same time, free-roaming pets also face dangers that can injure or kill them.
“Cats and other predators probably kill more wildlife this time of the year than any other because newborn prey not only don’t have any physical defenses but they also have not fully developed the danger awareness regarding predators that comes with time,” said American Bird Conservancy Vice President Mike Parr. “This is the most important time of the year for cat owner’s to restrict outdoor activities of their pet,” he said.
“It’s also a common misconception that domestic cats can live easily outdoors,” says Michael Hutchins, Ph.D., Executive Director of TWS. “Well-meaning owners often think it’s okay to let them roam because cats seem independent by nature. And while they don’t always need the same care as dogs, the truth is dramatically different.” Free-roaming or feral cats are at risk of early death or serious injury due to diseases, cars, poisons and predators such as dogs and coyotes. Outdoor cats typically live less than five years, whereas cats kept exclusively indoors can live to be 17 years or older.
TWS biologists have long agreed with colleagues at American Bird Conservancy and state and federal wildlife agencies that domestic cats allowed to roam outdoors have serious, negative impacts on wildlife populations. Even cats that live outdoors part-time pose threats. “Outdoor life is often hard on cats; it’s also tough on native wildlife,” said Mike Parr, Vice President of ABC.
Exact numbers are unknown, but scientists estimate that nationwide, cats kill millions of birds and small animals each year including mammals (rabbits, squirrels, small rodents), reptiles (lizards, skinks, salamanders) and amphibians (frogs).
Birds whose natural movements include time on or near the ground are susceptible, especially those that breed or nest on the ground. Typical prey for cats includes robins, cardinals, blue jays, quail, and warblers. In addition, young wildlife are often most vulnerable as they do not have the experience to avoid cats or the ability to quickly escape harm.
“The top cause of declining bird populations is that their natural habitat is being lost to development, Hutchins notes. “Domestic free roaming and feral cats are close behind. It’s hard for many cat owners to believe their pets are predators, since we are not usually around to see them in action.”
People often believe that cats won’t hunt if they’ve been well fed. Research shows that cats instinctively hunt, no matter how much they’ve been fed, because the hunting instinct is independent of the urge to eat.
“People can do something to help native wildlife in their backyard, and it will likely help their pets live longer,” concluded Parr. “We advise cat owners to spay and neuter their pets, and protect them by keeping them indoors, on leashes, or in outdoor enclosures.”

Affordable products and helpful information make it easy to keep pets contented indoors with a minimum of hassle. Information and resources can be found on the ABC website at www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/index.html.

About The Wildlife Society
TWS is a scientific and educational organization dedicated to enhancing the ability of wildlife professionals to conserve diversity, sustain productivity, and ensure the responsible use of wildlife resources for the benefit of society. TWS also is an advocate for science-based wildlife policy. For more information visit www.wildlife.org

About the American Bird Conservancy
American Bird Conservancy (www.abcbirds.org) conserves native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas by safeguarding the rarest species, conserving and restoring habitats, and reducing threats while building capacity of the bird conservation movement. ABC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit membership organization that is consistently awarded a top, four-star rating by the independent group, Charity Navigator. For more information visit www.abcbirds.org/

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jenna_jadin Uncategorized, endangered species, feral cats, invasive species

A recent article in Best Friends Magazine touts feral cats as an “environmentally friendly” solution to rodent control.  Sorry, but feral cats are about as ecofriendly as a runaway oil gusher in the the Gulf of Mexico!  Not only do feral cats prey on and kill millions of migratory birds, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, etc. annually worldwide, including many endangered species, they also spread disases such as toxoplasmosis to humans and other animals, such as sea otters.  In addition, it takes vast amounts of wild-caught fish and factory-farmed chicken to support myriads of feral felines being maintained in managed colonies in the United States and elsewhere. The fish are being taken from the world’s oceans at a time that many environmental groups are warning that the fishing industry is unsustainable.  Add to this the fact that traps and other methods are probably a more effective way to control mice and rats than cats, who tend to prey on juveniles, but not adults. The reproductive rate of rodents is so high that they can easily compensate for cat predation–but not so for many migratory birds and other animals that are also threatened by other stressors. So, feral cats ecofriendly?–I think not.  Best Friends Magazine may want to consider changing its name to Feral Cat Digest or Best Friends of Feral Cats, so that their biases are clearly evident.  Wildlife professionals, scientists, and those that support the conservation of our native wildlife need to redouble their efforts to counter such unscientific and anti-conservationist propaganda.

Michael Hutchins Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management and Conservation, feral cats, invasive species, wildlife conservation

Long a problem in Australia, invasive cane toads are now threatening the ecology of the Caribbean islands. Cane toads have toxin producing glands in their skin, which can sicken or even kill potential predators that try to eat them. The proliferating toads have thus caused a decline in native wildlife in Australia.   Cane toads were introduced into the Caribbean, including Jamaica, in 1844, and soon thereafter into the South Pacific to control and eat pests of sugar cane, such as rats and insects.  Now scientists have–for the first time–documented the loss of individuals of a threatened species outside of Australia due to cane toad poisoning.  Dr. Byron Wilson and his colleagues from the University of  Jamaica have documented the deaths of numerous individuals of the Jamaican boa, Epicrates subflavus, the large constricting snakes that are native to the island.  The snake is already rare, its continued existence being threatened by introduced dogs and pigs.  Researchers now fear that the toads could pose a new and significant threat the the boa’s existance across its range.  Dr. Wilson and the other authors remarked: “Although cane toads have been present on Jamaica for more than 160 years, it is clear from our observations that Jamaican boas have not yet learnt to avoid this toxic prey species. “  Control or eradication of the toad and other introduced species may be the only hope for this native snake, Jamaica’s top terrestrial predator.

Michael Hutchins Reptiles, invasive species, wildlife conservation