Pet Cats in Cape Town Cover Nearly 20km per Day in Summer but Don’t Like Winter

Domestic cats in Cape Town, South Africa, roam up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) a day during the city’s warmer months, spending a great deal of time in the Table Mountain National Park, according to GPS tracking devices.

The first of its kind involving pet cats in Africa, a GPS-tracking study used miniature devices connected to the collars of 14 cats for 10 days in the summer, along with nine cats over a week-long period in winter. Half of the cats were categorized as “urban” pets, as their homes were surrounded by roads and houses, and were more than 150 meters away from natural areas. The others, who had easy access to the national park, were labeled “urban edge” pets.

Scientists previously declared that Cape Town’s cats kill approximately 27.5 million animals annually. The city is currently home to 300,000 pet cats, and studies have shown that each one kills between 59 and 123 animals a year. “Given that cats exact a massive toll on native animals, mitigation measures to protect biodiversity in protected areas are essential,” said researchers in the journal Animals. “Keeping cats indoors, particularly in summer, limiting their roaming with catios and adding bells and bright ruffs on collars can also reduce predation on native prey.”

Most cat owners are unaware of the impact that their pet felines have on wild animals. An earlier study proved that 90% of cats’ hunting occurs at night and less than 20% of their prey is brought home.

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“Miracle Dog” Who Survived 72 Days in the Colorado Mountains After her Owner’s Death is Recovering, had “Ravenous Appetite”

Article written by CBS News Originally published by CBS NEWS (Fri, Nov 17, 2023) A faithful dog who survived after spending more than 10 weeks by her

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Pet Cats in Cape Town Cover Nearly 20km per Day in Summer but Don’t Like Winter

By supporting our work, you are reaching out with caring hands to stop animal abuse

“Miracle Dog” Who Survived 72 Days in the Colorado Mountains After her Owner’s Death is Recovering, had “Ravenous Appetite”

Dogs Produce Tears when Reunited with Owners, Study Finds

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Pet Cats in Cape Town Cover Nearly 20km per Day in Summer but Don’t Like Winter

By supporting our work, you are reaching out with caring hands to stop animal abuse

Stay up to date

“Miracle Dog” Who Survived 72 Days in the Colorado Mountains After her Owner’s Death is Recovering, had “Ravenous Appetite”

Dogs Produce Tears when Reunited with Owners, Study Finds

South Korea to Ban Eating Dog Meat

Spain: More than 400 Animals Rescued from Illegal Trading Network

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Lisa-Mari Spence

Alissa Ford