Jonathan Chu, a PhD student at the University of Guelph in Ontario, is conducting a study to learn more about the impact of cats on local environments. He came up with the idea of recording felines with a ‘cat-cam’ to observe their behavior when they are outside of their homes. Chu wants to understand if cats, as introduced species in North America, are having a negative impact on native species. Previous studies have indicated that cats may be responsible for the deaths of millions of birds in Canada each year.
The use of cat-cams allows Chu to directly measure everything a cat potentially hunts while outside. This helps in determining the types of species being hunted, whether they are native or invasive, and the potential impact on the local ecosystem. By capturing video footage of cats in action, Chu has observed a surprising variety of prey being hunted, including Eastern cottontail rabbits, invertebrates like moths, cicadas, and grasshoppers, as well as a cat bringing a centipede back as prey. Cats are shown to be opportunistic hunters, capable of targeting different types of animals.
Chu has conducted previous studies in the Guelph area and is now looking for volunteers in the South Okanagan to participate in the study by placing cat-cams on their felines. He aims to compare the hunting behaviors of cats in different regions to understand if they target different prey based on location. Some cats are shown to be voracious hunters, while others do not hunt at all, leading to questions about why certain cats eat more from the outdoors than others. Understanding cat predation rates in Canada can help in developing management strategies to mitigate their impact on local wildlife.
The study also aims to address the issue of cats bringing home prey items. While previous studies have relied on cat owners reporting what their pets bring home, the use of cat-cams provides a more comprehensive picture of the species being hunted. This allows researchers to identify potential threats to sensitive or native species and assess the overall impact of cats on the environment. By enlisting cat owners to participate in the study, Chu hopes to gather more data on cat predation rates and behavior to inform conservation efforts.
Chu’s research is focused on filling the gaps in knowledge regarding the hunting behavior of domestic cats and their impact on local ecosystems. By studying cat predation rates and the types of prey targeted by cats in different regions, researchers can gain valuable insights into the potential risks posed by outdoor cats to wildlife populations. This information can help in developing targeted management strategies to minimize the impact of cats on native species and maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem. Cat owners interested in participating in the study can find more information online to get involved in this important research initiative.
