11. Topical issues

Question 1

Learning Objective 1: Impact of Cats on Wildlife
Cats’ Impact on NZ Wildlife
Native vs. Introduced Species Impact
Relevance of the Issue

Answer 1

Cats’ Impact on NZ Wildlife
Cats pose significant threat, especially in urban areas.
Apex predator status and no native predators in NZ.

Native vs. Introduced Species Impact
Native species evolved without terrestrial predators.
Cats prey on native animals, compete for resources.

Relevance of the Issue
High cat ownership in NZ households.
Understanding impact vital for conservation.

Question 2

Learning Objective 3: Difficulties in Researching Cat Impact
Challenges of Cat Research
Underestimation of Hunting Activity
Habitat Influence Complexity
Quantifying Effects on Prey Populations

Answer 2

Challenges of Cat Research
Cats’ roaming and unpredictable behavior.
Difficulty assessing hunting and predation rates.

Underestimation of Hunting Activity
Cats may not bring all prey home.
Actual hunting activity underestimated.

Habitat Influence Complexity
Cats’ prey preference influenced by habitat.
Impacts on different wildlife populations vary.

Quantifying Effects on Prey Populations
Determining cat predation effects requires prey mortality data.
Quantification of natural mortality and breeding success challenging.

Mitigation and Continued Research
Responsible pet ownership and cat containment important.
Need for ongoing research to develop effective management strategies.