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