The Journal of Wildlife Management has just published the results of an 11-year study on the effects of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife, conducted by the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro.
During the study period [2000 to 2010], the Center admitted 2,970 patients due to confirmed interactions with cats, representing 83 species of wild birds and small mammals. Among the most frequent avian victims were Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, American Robins, and Northern Cardinals. Grey Squirrels, Eastern Chipmunks, Eastern Cottontails, and Southern Flying Squirrels were the most common small-mammal cat victims.
The study confirmed that the chances for survival of these cat-attack victims is low, even with aggressive treatment in a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital. Of all small mammals admitted due to a cat attack, more than 70 percent died or had to be euthanized. For small birds, the mortality rate was 81 percent.
Additional information about the study is available on the Center’s website, at wildlifecenter.org/news_events/news/new-study-reveals-extensive-damage-wildlife-caused-domestic-cats.
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