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Posted by David La Puma on 23:07:55 04/07/08
In Reply to: Barnes out of control posted by Angel & Mariel
Right On Angel and Mariel
It's a touchy subject (don't you dare post anything on FloridaBirds-L.... unless you've got a good pseudonym). Seriously though, people have very VERY strong opinions about cats, human responsibility, animal welfare, and wild vs. domestic animals. The cats have been a problem at Barnes since I've known the place, during which time a Master's thesis was completed at FIU on direct mortality caused by the park cats (one of Phill Stoddard's students). At the time the cats were being fixed, and released, but the last I checked many of the cats did NOT have clipped ears, a sign of them being fixed. Also, with the added dumping of new cats (people know they'll be fed and cared for), the whole process has the effect of uncontrolled reproduction even if the cats aren't reproducing naturally. The sad fact is that the cats are the ones that will eventually pay for the sins of the humans, while the birds are currently picking up the bill.
Good Luck. I'll make my call to Rebeca Sosa's office tomorrow.
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