Cats as an invasive species?
Poland puts them on the same level as raccoons
Created: 08/30/2022, 16:30
Cats have long been a thorn in the side of animal rights activists.
They are said to be a threat to biodiversity.
This is now also confirmed by Polish researchers.
Cats are among the most popular pets in Germany.
Accordingly, in this country they still rank ahead of dogs, which are actually “man’s best friends”.
According to the industry association for pet supplies, around 16.7 million velvet paws lived in our households in 2021.
In the previous year it was 15.7 million, and the trend is rising.
One reason for the immense growth is the corona pandemic.
Cats as an invasive species?
Poland puts them on the same level as raccoons
In the past two years, many people have worked from home or spent a lot of time in their own four walls during lockdown.
To kill boredom, some have bought a new pet.
This is also confirmed by Norbert Holthenrich, President of the Central Association of Zoological Specialists.
V. In addition, more and more people live alone, which is why a third of all singles live with an animal.
Cats may pose a threat to biodiversity, say Polish scientists.
(Iconic image) © blickwinkel/Imago
Cats are particularly in demand as they are considered to be very easy to care for.
However, the fact that they are so popular is apparently a thorn in the side of some Polish scientists: the researchers at the Polish Academy of Sciences have even classified domestic cats as an invasive, alien species.
This puts them on a par with raccoons, the Asian ladybug or the bullfrog.
This news has caused a negative response from cat owners.
Cats as an invasive species?
Access should be limited
Invasive animal species are actually the ones that endanger and damage native biodiversity.
According to this, free-roaming cats in particular are supposed to kill numerous birds and mammals such as mice, so that biodiversity would ultimately shift in an unfavorable ratio.
As a result, they would displace other animal species from their habitat, which could be devastating for the ecosystem in the long term.
For this reason, even animal rights activists in this country are calling for a curfew for cats.
However, while raccoons, which are currently happily reproducing in large cities like Berlin, can be hunted, the velvet paws are different.
Cat owners have nothing to fear.
The Polish researchers, for example, only recommend keepers to let their darlings outside less frequently during the breeding and settling season.
Cats as an invasive species?
German city imposes curfew
But one German city has gone one step further.
In Walldorf (Rhein-Neckar-Kreis), the authorities ordered cats to be confined to a room for the first time this year.
Accordingly, there should be a breeding area for the rare crested lark.
In order to support them, the authorities have imposed a curfew.
Cat owners face a fine of up to 500 euros if they are disregarded.
The decree is valid up to and including August 31 and is repeated annually until 2025.
