10 Species Driven Toward Extinction by Cats

The first cats were domesticated thousands of years ago , but we still do n’t seem to have much ascendance over them . Many mass countenance their cat get along and go as they please , perhaps bury — or not caring — that domestic catskill billion of snort and mammalian each twelvemonth . Over half of pet cats in the U.S. spend time alfresco , and worldwide the animals have contribute to the extinction of at least 33 species , according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .

Feral cats may be the worst offender , but deary that are allowed to roam outdoors also harm wildlife . The situation in Australia is so dire that officials have proposed killing some 2 million ferine cats to block up their violation on threaten species . In the U.S. , there are many course of study aimed at reduce ferine quat population by trapping , neutering , and releasing them — but the Fish and Wildlife Service monish that such broadcast do not actually protect native beast from the qat .

Sadly , it ’s already too former for dozens of species , admit theStephens Island wren(a flightless songbird ) , thecrescent nailtail wallaby , and the adorabledesert bandicoot . Here , we highlight just a few of the many specie presently endanger by outside cats .

Larry, 10 Downing Street’s cat, chasing a pigeon.