Feral Cats and Extinction Issues In Hawaii

FERAL CATS (FELIS CATUS)
Feral cats are a type of wild cat that was introduced to Hawai'i by Europeans. 
Feral cats have established populations on all eight major Hawaiian Islands, causing widespread ecological disruptions that endanger native Hawaiian wildlife. Feral cats are among the most dangerous predators of Hawai'i's diverse wildlife. 
Aside from direct predation, feral cats spread a potentially lethal parasite (Toxoplasma gondii) that contaminates terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments and has been shown to harm birds and mammals, including humans.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has named it one of the world's most dangerous invasive species. Feral cats on islands are the primary threat to 8% of critically endangered birds, mammals, and reptiles, and have contributed to the extinction of 33 species.

Recognized as the leading cause of direct, human-caused mortality in birds in the United States. Cats kill approximately 2.4 billion birds each year.

Toxoplasma gondii needs a host to complete its life cycle. A single cat's faeces can release hundreds of millions of pathogenic eggs into the environment. This parasite can infect humans, particularly pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.

You may help by spaying and neutering your pet cats.

Cats should be kept indoors or safely caged.
Pet cats should be microchipped so that you can be reunited if they become missing
Pet cats should never be abandoned. If you are no longer able to care for your pet, please give it to a local animal shelter so that it can be adopted.
Feeding feral cats is not permitted.

READ MORE AT
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/feral-cats/

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