News

Domestic cats labelled ‘alien invasive species’, by Polish institute | Science & Tech News



The domestic cat has been labeled an “invasive alien species” by a Polish scientific institute.

It refers to the growing scientific consensus that domestic cats cause damage to birds and other wildlife equal to the amount they hunt and kill.

However, Wojciech Solarz, a biologist at the Polish Academy of Sciences, was unprepared for the backlash from some cat lovers after importing Felis catus – the scientific name of the common domestic cat – in national database operated by the academy’s Institute for Conservation of Nature.

The database had 1,786 other species listed without objection, Mr. Solarz added.

However, invasive alien species number 1,787 is such a beloved creature that it is often honored in Polish cemeteries dedicated to cats and dogs.

Mr. Solarz said the criteria for placing the cat among the alien invaders were “100% met by the cat”.

During a TVN broadcast, the biologist clashed with the author of a book titled The Happy Cat, who argued that cats were unjustly blamed.

Dorota Suminska points to other causes of shrinking biology such as polluted environments and the facades of urban buildings that can kill birds in flight.

Read more:
The first pet-friendly oxygen mask saves cats from house fires in London
After three weeks on the run in the airport, the cat Rowdy was caught

The institute has stressed it is “opposed to any cruelty to animals”.

They add the classification of domestic cats is in line with European Union guidelines.

The institute notes that Felis catus probably trained some 10,000 years ago at the heart of the great civilizations of the ancient Middle East making them alien to Europe from a scientific point of view.

The Polish Institute has advised cat owners to limit the time their pets spend outdoors during the bird’s breeding season.



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button