Jones Amanda L, Downs Colleen T
School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag,Scottsville, South Africa.
J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2011;14(4):304-20. doi: 10.1080/10888705.2011.600186.
Worldwide domestic and feral cat (Felis catus) numbers have increased. Concerns regarding high populations of feral cats in urban areas include wildlife predation, public nuisance, and disease. This study aimed to estimate the size of the feral cat population on 5 campuses of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to determine whether sterilization has an effect and to make management recommendations. The study used both the total count and mark-recapture methods to estimate the feral cat population on each campus. The study chose a noninvasive method of taking photographs to "mark" individuals and record those who were sterilized. The study estimated a total of 186 cats on all campuses and density at 161 cats km(-2). There was a negative relationship between sterilization and numbers. Sites with higher sterilization showed a lower proportion of younger cats. At the average sterilization of 55%, the population, according to predictions, would remain stable at fecundity, survival, and immigration rates reported by cat caretakers. However, caretakers underestimated cat abundance by 7 ± 37 SD%. Caretakers' feral cat sterilization and feeding programs appear to provide a service to the university community. Key management recommendations were to increase sterilization to 90% to reduce the population over the long term and to raise funds to support the costs incurred by voluntary cat caretakers.
全球范围内，家猫和野猫（家猫属）的数量都有所增加。城市地区野猫数量众多引发的担忧包括对野生动物的捕食、对公众的滋扰以及疾病问题。本研究旨在估算南非夸祖鲁 - 纳塔尔大学5个校区的野猫种群规模，确定绝育是否有效果，并提出管理建议。该研究采用了总计数法和标记重捕法来估算每个校区的野猫种群数量。研究选择了一种非侵入性的拍照方法来“标记”个体，并记录已绝育的猫。研究估计所有校区共有186只猫，密度为每平方公里161只。绝育与猫的数量之间存在负相关关系。绝育率较高的区域幼猫比例较低。在平均绝育率为55%的情况下，根据预测，按照猫咪照料者报告的繁殖力、存活率和迁入率，种群数量将保持稳定。然而，照料者对猫数量的估计比实际少7±37标准差%。照料者的野猫绝育和喂食计划似乎为大学社区提供了一项服务。主要管理建议是将绝育率提高到90%，以长期减少猫的数量，并筹集资金以支持自愿照料猫咪者产生的费用。
