No matter what we do, we do it as humans. We don't/can't understand what the animals think. All I know is that the sight of fern birds in what used to be farm land at Queen Elizabeth Park thrills me to the core. The numbers of tui, kākā and even kiwi in people's backyards has massively increased since I was a child and I believe there is far more diversity now across Aotearoa. Thanks for such a thoughtful piece. The world is better for having you in it too.
Another example of different values we put on species is the management of threats to Mauis dolphins. According to DOC, cats are a significant cause of death, (see link below) but the approach is to limit fishing activity in the Mauis' range of habitat, despite years of observer involvement and camera coverage indicating a low risk. The anti-fishing lobby groups went down that track because it suited their agenda and they know as well as anyone that the sentimental attachment to cats wouldn't give them much traction if they tried to constrain cats.
You're right; there appears to be a certain amount of dishonesty.
On domestic cats: there are ways to reduce their impact on local fauna. For example, the local government area that I used to live in required all cats to be indoors 24/7. As you can imagine, this was quite a controversial decision, and the contribution of dogs to wildlife predation was regularly raised. I was tangentially involved in some of these discussions, and did some background reading. Even then, I wonder what the joint impact of cats and dogs is compared with all the other things that we do? (Nb: dog person)
I keep my cats in at night, but it's very hard to keep ex-strays inside 24/7 when you like gardening and fresh air. I think I could cat-fence my backyard possibly in future.
I'm troubled by how much impact our pets have, all that food, all their waste, wildlife impacts. But I also know that I couldn't live without cats.
No matter what we do, we do it as humans. We don't/can't understand what the animals think. All I know is that the sight of fern birds in what used to be farm land at Queen Elizabeth Park thrills me to the core. The numbers of tui, kākā and even kiwi in people's backyards has massively increased since I was a child and I believe there is far more diversity now across Aotearoa. Thanks for such a thoughtful piece. The world is better for having you in it too.
Thank you so much. Yes, I'm so excited that kiwi are back in Wellington - cool news about the fern bird too.
Very interesting post, thank you Melanie.
Another example of different values we put on species is the management of threats to Mauis dolphins. According to DOC, cats are a significant cause of death, (see link below) but the approach is to limit fishing activity in the Mauis' range of habitat, despite years of observer involvement and camera coverage indicating a low risk. The anti-fishing lobby groups went down that track because it suited their agenda and they know as well as anyone that the sentimental attachment to cats wouldn't give them much traction if they tried to constrain cats.
You're right; there appears to be a certain amount of dishonesty.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/diseases/toxoplasmosis-and-hectors-and-maui-dolphin/#:~:text=Toxoplasmosis%20is%20a%20parasitic%20disease,a%20significant%20threat%20to%20dolphins.
This is fascinating, thank you - I had no idea of this issue. I've now got it as a topic to write about.
I know a social scientist currently researching cats - I think that this is something which could change but it's so challenging.
Our marine mammals are not the only ones at risk from toxoplasmosis - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/outreach-materials/cat-borne-threat-monk-seals
Very nice.
On domestic cats: there are ways to reduce their impact on local fauna. For example, the local government area that I used to live in required all cats to be indoors 24/7. As you can imagine, this was quite a controversial decision, and the contribution of dogs to wildlife predation was regularly raised. I was tangentially involved in some of these discussions, and did some background reading. Even then, I wonder what the joint impact of cats and dogs is compared with all the other things that we do? (Nb: dog person)
I keep my cats in at night, but it's very hard to keep ex-strays inside 24/7 when you like gardening and fresh air. I think I could cat-fence my backyard possibly in future.
I'm troubled by how much impact our pets have, all that food, all their waste, wildlife impacts. But I also know that I couldn't live without cats.