Cats that look cute to humans, but are the culprits ruining the ecosystem? [Hello? Animal]

Domestic Pet Cats and Stray Cats Population Nears 3 Million
Beloved by Humans but Threatening Ecosystem as 'Invasive Species'
Stray Cats Kill Over 20 Billion Birds Annually in the US
Stray Cats Neutered on Marado Island to Protect Endangered Species
Experts: "Control Population with TNR... Government and Local Authorities Need to Act"

A cat sitting on a rock in Bukhansan, Seoul last year / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the culture of raising companion animals spreads domestically, awareness of animal rights is also increasing. Not only are the number of households raising dogs and cats increasing, but environments for specific animals are being improved, such as setting up shelters or feeding stations for stray cats without owners.

But what if the cats that monopolize people's affection could pose a threat to the ecosystem? Recently, international academia and environmental organizations have expressed concerns that the rapidly increasing number of cats in urban areas may indiscriminately harm birds, their prey.

◆Cats monopolizing human attention... millions of companion and stray cats combined

The number of companion animals has exploded in recent years. According to the 'Public Awareness Survey on Animal Protection' released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in 2020, the number of households raising companion animals nationwide was estimated at 6.38 million, an increase of 470,000 households compared to the previous year (5.91 million households).

The main companion animals raised domestically were dogs and cats. In particular, companion dogs were raised in 5.21 million households with 6.02 million dogs, making them the most popular companion animals in Korea. However, the number of companion cats is also rapidly increasing. As of the same year, 1.82 million households were raising 2.58 million cats.

It is not only companion animals that have increased. The number of 'stray cats' living in urban areas is also considerable. According to a survey conducted by Gyeonggi Province from May to December last year, the estimated number of stray cats in the province ranged from 320,000 to a maximum of 350,000. The area with the highest density in the province was confirmed to have an average of 320.2 stray cats per 1㎢.

Cats are popular among animal lovers for their unique cute appearance. / Photo by Yonhap News

Cats with their cute appearance are very popular among animal lovers. On social networking services (SNS), YouTube, and online communities, photos and videos of cats are posted daily.

Movements to protect stray cats without owners are also increasing. So-called cat moms and cat daddies manage shelters or feeding stations in specific places where cats frequently gather, such as parking lots, alleys, and hillsides.

◆In the U.S. alone, 20 billion birds caught... invasive alien species threatening the ecosystem

However, voices expressing concern about the recent 'cat preference phenomenon' are growing. It is pointed out that birds are threatened because cats roam urban areas as if it were their home.

In fact, cats have long been designated and managed as species that pose a risk of destroying ecosystems. In 2013, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international environmental organization, ranked cats 34th among the 'World's 100 Worst Invasive Alien Species.' According to this organization, cats are assessed to pose a much higher risk of ecosystem destruction than bass (54th), nutria (60th), and American bullfrogs (79th).

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Ecology's 'Korean Alien Species Information System' explains the impact of cats on ecosystems as "causing a rapid decline in the population of small mammals and disturbing ecosystems by preying on birds."

Cats are animals with a hunting instinct that constantly hone their survival skills through "hunting practice." The photo shows a cat that hunted a bird in the yard of a household overseas. Photo by YouTube video capture

The reason cats are identified as ecosystem-destroying species is due to their unique hunter instinct. Cats learn survival skills by receiving hunting techniques from their mothers from kittenhood and have an instinct to maintain their hunting sense by enjoying 'play' that attacks targets even after they are fully grown. When a cat kept indoors suddenly moves quickly or pounces, it is also practicing measuring the distance to its prey.

Unlike many carnivores, cats have the habit of attacking prey even when they are full. Because of this, if the cat population grows excessively, surrounding rodents and small birds inevitably face the risk of extinction.

Numerous studies on the impact of cats on wild birds have been published in the world-renowned journal 'Nature.' Scott Loss and others from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute analyzed 171 related papers and found that in the U.S. alone, approximately 1.3 to 4 billion birds and 6.3 to 22.3 billion mammals were hunted by cats.

In some domestic regions, cats also threaten endangered species. For example, in October last year, organizations such as 'Island Love Veterinary Association' and 'Jeju Animal Rights Action NOW' captured stray cats living on Marado Island and performed neutering surgeries.

Marado Island is home to several migratory birds, including the endangered species horned grebe. The horned grebe is designated as Natural Monument No. 450 and a Class II endangered wild animal in Korea, with only 2,800 to 4,100 pairs as of 2017. If the cat population on Marado Island begins to increase, it could lead to the extinction of the horned grebe.

◆Experts: To coexist, controlling stray cat populations is necessary... local governments play a crucial role

Citizens also agreed on the need for measures to manage cats so they do not harm urban ecosystems.

A feral cat undergoing neutering surgery / Photo by Yonhap News

A 29-year-old office worker A, who owns a cat, said, "I love cats, but as a cat lover, I think it is very important to keep in mind that cats are predators in the wild ecosystem. Cats reproduce quickly and are very sensitive about their territory. If their population grows uncontrollably, it negatively affects humans, nature, and even the cats themselves."

Another office worker B, 30, said, "From the perspective of people who raise birds, cats must be a source of fear. I believe Korea also needs to actively manage the number of stray cats by capturing and neutering them, as other countries do."

Experts emphasized the importance of the government and local governments' roles in controlling the cat population.

Lee Wonbok, head of the Korea Animal Protection Association, explained, "I agree with the perception that cats have hunter instincts and can threaten small birds and rodents. To address this, advanced countries including Korea are conducting population control projects called 'TNR.' TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return, which involves regularly capturing stray cats, neutering them, and releasing them back into urban areas."

Lee urged, "Local governments need to actively participate in regularly counting stray cat populations and implementing TNR projects." He added, "Even though cats have hunter instincts, animals generally hunt actively when hungry, so citizens' activities such as providing shelters and feeding stations for cats can have a positive role in preserving the ecosystem."