Cats killing billions?

[bb07]

Cats do a lot of harm to the populations of birds and small animals according to this story, which isn't really surprising to most of us, but the sheer numbers of birds and animals thought to meet their end by cats certainly is, at least to me.
While there is no way to know the actual numbers of their victims, I suspect it would be more than most people could ever imagine, particularly with song birds. But billions though?

Bird feeders are cat magnets, so by feeding birds I'm sure a large number would meet their demise while looking for a meal.
Of course, none of this will come as a surprise to those that are, uh, less than affectionate towards the felines of the world. Yes British Red, you were the first person to pop into my mind when I saw this story okenest:
Sorry, but at -30 with a windchill into the -40's, I thought this might warm me up a bit
Story here: BBC News - Cats killing billions of animals in the US

 

[British Red]

Not a surprise

Nor is the fact that cats are the disease vector for a third of a million people a year in the UK alone - 20 or so babies are born blind or brain damaged as a result each year

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19474612

 

[ged]

Let's not forget that it's humans that have cuased the boom in the cat population...

 

[Robbi]

here we go again

 

[bb07]

Not a surprise

Nor is the fact that cats are the disease vector for a third of a million people a year in the UK alone - 20 or so babies are born blind or brain damaged as a result each year

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19474612

Thanks for that link. Interesting to say the least. I was not aware of such a thing:yikes:

 

[ebt.]

Let's not forget that it's humans that have cuased the boom in the cat population...

Passes the time in your neck of the woods?

(probably less likely to cause offence than any comment on tiddles propensity for sport killing)

 

[slingback]

New Zealand has the right idea.

 

[Opal]

New Zealand has the right idea.

Which is?

 

[Elen Sentier]

Let's not forget that it's humans that have cuased the boom in the cat population...

And the incredible boom in the human population over the past 50 years ... from 3 billion to over 7 billion

 

[Toddy]

this again

Uhuh, and dog dirt can infect children with toxicariasis, and the worms eat their eyes and livers.

Good hygiene, careful placement of bird feeders, and it's life.


Toddy

 

[British Red]

Which is?

http://garethsworld.com/catstogo/

 

[northumbrian]

contact with raw meat, especially pork, lamb or venison is a more significant source of human infection !

 

[British Red]

contact with raw meat, especially pork, lamb or venison is a more significant source of human infection !

However the source of infection of the pigs, sheep and deer is cats - meat animals are only intermediate hosts

2.2 The cat is the only definitive host in which sexual reproduction of theparasite occurs in the intestine, resulting in the shedding of oocysts into theenvironment. Following sporulation of the oocysts, ingestion by humans and​

other animals results in release of sporozoites in the intestine.

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/committee/acmsfrtaxopasm.pdf

 

[nuggets]

i dislike cats - nah - I hate them !!!

 

[Robbi]

Jeez ! don't you lot ever get bored of repeating yourselves ?

We all know BR hates cats and will continually tell anyone unlucky or stupid enough to be within sight of a screen when he launches into another tirade.

Guy's ....get over it.

 

[knifefan]

I think in Australia - any cat out after dark is shot!!! Owned or not!! They've decimated the small critter population over there. I'm a cat owner and I agree with that strategy !!!

 

[nuggets]

cats should be kept in cages -and birds should be set free

 

[Cheesy Blender]

contact with raw meat, especially pork, lamb or venison is a more significant source of human infection !

And would you tolerate a neighbour throwing a platefull of raw meat over your fence every night?

 

[dwardo]

Why is it ringing in my ears that Cats actually do very little damage to bird populations? Remember it coming from a credible source? Was surprised my self.
Dont get me wrong certainly not a fan of the lovely little things. :AR15firin .. but rings a bell this, no pun intended.

 

[santaman2000]

And the incredible boom in the human population over the past 50 years ... from 3 billion to over 7 billion

Remember. Accidents are the leading cause of people.
So if you drink; Please! Please! Don't park!