I am writing this letter in response to the article regarding the cat killed by the coyote. The grieving woman states that she thinks cats are happier if left to roam. I suggest she research the study by the Smithsonian Institute’s Migratory Bird Center released two years ago. It states that between 1.4 and 3.9 billion (yes that’s billion) migratory birds are killed by cats every year in the U.S., so I’m thinking the numbers are equally shocking in Canada.
Cats include feral cats and cats left to roam. The study’s authors state that the magnitude of wildlife mortality caused by cats far exceeds previous estimates. Part of the problem is that cats are not native to North America and are considered an invasive species.
I suggest anyone who owns a cat to please keep it indoors or under supervision when outdoors. For someone who lets cats roam to say that the coyote population is out of control is irresponsible. Did you ever think that you are contributing to the coyote population by supplying them with prey? I say we need the coyotes to keep the feral and roaming cat population in check, just like mother nature intended. Can’t you just hear more birds singing already?
Terry James
Squamish
