Predation on endangered species by human-subsidized domestic cats on Tokunoshima Island

A study on Tokunoshima Island reveals that human-subsidized domestic cats significantly contribute to predation pressure on endangered species, even when their diet is heavily reliant on artificial resources. Using fecal and stable isotope analyses, researchers found that while 20.1% of feral cat feces contained evidence of forest-living species, the cats' long-term dependence on human-provided food was more pronounced. The study also showed a strong correlation between cat diet and landscape variables, indicating that cats move from human-habituated areas to natural ones with high biodiversity. These findings suggest that anthropogenic feeding may indirectly exacerbate predation effects, highlighting the need for further demographic studies. Effective cat management should include not only trapping but also public education on reducing feeding of free-ranging cats and keeping pet cats indoors.

Maeda, T., Nakashita, R., Shionosaki, K., Yamada, F., & Watari, Y. (2019). Predation on endangered species by human-subsidized domestic cats on Tokunoshima Island. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52472-3