Feral cat population rises on Fernando de Noronha Archipelago

A recent study reveals a concerning 41.1% increase in the feral cat population on Fernando de Noronha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and critical habitat for endangered marine birds and endemic species. Researchers estimated the current population at 439 cats (CI95%: 283-680) with a density of 46 animals/km², highlighting an urgent need for population control or eradication to protect native wildlife. The study employed live trapping using tomahawk traps and various baits over two fieldwork periods in 2018–2019, alongside linear transect surveys. Despite extensive trapping efforts totaling 5,376 hours, no cats were captured, underscoring the challenges of managing this invasive species. The findings emphasize the ecological threat posed by feral cats to the archipelago's biodiversity and its status as a human heritage site.

Sobral, F., Rogerio Mangini, P., Jeremias Mello, T., Araújo, R., Ramos Silva, J. C., & Micheletti, T. (2021). Cresce população de gatos ferais em Fernando de Noronha. Biodiversidade Brasileira, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.37002/biobrasil.v11i3.1888