Are Feral Cats Causing Bird & Wildlife Decline?
It is true that outdoor cats do occasionally kill birds and other species; however, the main cause of bird and wildlife decline is habitat loss, which is caused by humans, not cats. National Geographic News reports that the declining bird populations reflect growing threats to many bird species resulting from habitat loss and fragmentation caused by development and other human activities. [See “Quarter of U.S. Birds in Decline, Says Audubon,” National Geographic News, November 5, 2002.] Moreover, conservation groups and government biologists estimate that communications towers (cell phone, television) kill up to 50 million birds a year — and at least 50 species are threatened or endangered. The construction of new towers creates a potentially significant impact on migratory birds. [See “Towering Troubles: Bird Collisions With Communications Towers.” Journey North, 2002.] Wildlife biologist Roger Tabor is quoted as saying, “The clear leading animal that’s really putting wildlife at ris
