| Who Has More Rights, Cats or Birds? |
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| posted Apr 8, 2008 7:08:49 AM | To All |
It sounds like a funny question, but it's one of the many stemming from the effects that global warming and human land encroachment has had on animal populations
At Cedar Beach near Long Island, the region's feral cat population has decimated the Piping Plover, a species of bird endangered since 1986. Officials say there's only one nesting pair left.
The problem has sparked controversy and indecision over what to do about the feral cats.
Some want extreme action against the cats, while others want them trapped and relocated. Another group says that even though humans are largely responsible for the problem, no one should do anything about it, even though the plover is headed for extinction.
I'm betting some of you are cat lovers and some of you really like birds. What do you think the people of Long Island should do? |
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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| Who Has More Rights, Cats or Birds? |
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| posted Apr 9, 2008 4:46:57 PM | To All |
Well, you know what they say, 'cats will be cats'. ;)
It's really fair- cats can climb really fast and stalk, but birds can fly. Just seems the birds are getting lazy, and the cats are on top of their game... Maybe they just need some inspiration. |
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| Who Has More Rights, Cats or Birds? |
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| posted Apr 14, 2008 9:21:05 AM | To All |
On Apr 9, 2008 4:46:57 PM ninjamasterdave wrote:
Well, you know what they say, 'cats will be cats'. ;)
It's really fair- cats can climb really fast and stalk, but birds can fly. Just seems the birds are getting lazy, and the cats are on top of their game... Maybe they just need some inspiration.
I always wondered how the heck a cat can kill a bird. I know they're smart and agile and whatnot, but I think it's just birds getting too cocky. |
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"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." -Aldo Leopold
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| Who Has More Rights, Cats or Birds? |
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| posted May 7, 2008 11:14:42 PM | To All |
I thought it was a cool coincidence that you posted this thread not long after I read a local article that was related to this subject. Recently the question around these parts have been whether or not hunting or killing coyotes on your own property should be legal in rural areas (where they have livestock, small children, etc).
The article presented the effects the diminishing local coyote population in certain areas are having on feral cat and bird populations in those same areas. Apparently the reduction in coyotes have resulted in an increase in the number of feral cats those areas, which then resulted in a reduction of their bird population (granted these were suburban and urban areas they were talking about mostly). The article presented a concern that legalized coyote hunting, and human encroachment are taking away coyote's territories, thus resulting in an animal ecological imbalance.
Where I live it is very rural, and I don't think folks out here would ever "hunt" a coyote (I guess you never know, since we have so few neighbors close by to us, I don't know all of them that well). At least I can speak for myself and my immediate neighbors. We would only defend ourselves if one appears to be stalking our property, as we have to keep our pets (including our cats and dogs) and children safe (they will take them as prey if they are hungry and desperate enough, and they usually don't stalk your property unless they are). Plus, due to the fact we live in an area as rural as we do, we really don't have a feral cat population to speak of. If you see a cat out here that's not yours it's unusual. And you always have to keep your cats in at night. We're fortunate that there seems to be a decent balance to the order of nature out here, at least so far. There is plenty of prey for the coyotes out here besides cats during most of the year fortunately, such as bunnies, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, and so on. We also have a WONDERFUL and plentiful bird population. I mean just incredible. We have bald eagles in our back yard, blue jays, song birds, humming birds you name it. So I truly believe there's something to what this article presented.
Honestly, I think society needs to reconsider the laws regarding legalizing killing natural predators such as wolves, coyote, cougars, etc. And then we need to take another hard look at how much we are encroaching on their environment. I am relieved in some areas this concept has already been recognized. Such as wolves being reintroduced into certain areas again from where they were once lost.
I am also very concerned about the bee and butterfly population in many areas. There is another issue that has to be treated seriously.
Technically human beings are over populating the planet. Plus not all live modestly unfortunately (big homes, big cars). So we probably need to see what we're going to do about our over population before we can completely solve the problem with the feral cat's. lol
I truly hope that we do bring nature back into balance soon.Edited by: Joy Jackson, Life & Wellness Coach on May 7, 2008 11:34:00 PM |
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Joy Jackson, Fitness and Lifestyle Coach
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www.joyjackson.net
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| Who Has More Rights, Cats or Birds? |
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| posted Jun 21, 2008 6:46:10 AM | To All |
Hmmmm, I like this question.....really made me stop and think. I love birds, but I also love cats, was even named after one for my Indian name, but I have an issue with feral cats. We have at least three or four that hang around our home and although I see they leave the birds alone most of the time, I do find an occasional one that did not get away fast enough (usually they leave mice gifts for us instead of birds). I think the birds have more right, to answer the question. I just don't agree with having feral cats in the first place, it just doesn't seem healthy or fair to them to live like that. If the cats are left there, animal control should at least make sure they're healthy, as I'm guessing from being an advid Animal Cops watcher, that some won't be. They should also be fixed to keep them from reproducing even more, as it sounds like it's a large group and it doesn't take much to keep that number growing. If they have to be removed from the area, maybe it can be temporary, until the birds can make a come-back at least. No species should become extinct because of another one, especially when cats have other "foods" they can eat.
Oh and, in my standing at the window watching the cats and birds interact, it seems the birds get caught the most when they swoop down towards the cat ;o) But I live in a small town..maybe that's just how our hill-billy cats catch them! LOL
Heather~ Soapwood |
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| Who Has More Rights, Cats or Birds? |
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| posted Jun 25, 2008 8:35:47 PM | To All |
If there is only one nesting pair left that means the cats have probably taken out nests. Most birds will fly away if they notice a cat but I've seen birds try and attack cats when they get to close to a nest. Sometimes the cat goes away, sometimes the cat gets the parents and the nest.
Cats are relatively new predators for many animals and so they don't have the same defenses that they would against other predators.
As a cat lover, I think taking some sort of action with the cats is necessary. Some programs exist all over the United States. They include trapping cats, spaying or neutering them and then returning them. The positives of this type of program is that the cats keep other cats from moving in on the territory and reproducing.
Feral cats do not live happy lives. People think that since cats are generally self-sufficient that they can abandon their pet and it will live a long and happy life. The truth is that many cats starve out there. It would be better to trap them and try to find understanding homes for them. However this is very difficult since feral cats generally aren't trusting.
Still I think since humans are responsible, humans should try and find a solution. |
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