Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

N.J. Town Targets Cats in Effort to Protect Endangered Birds
FOX News/AP ^ | August 04, 2007

Posted on 08/05/2007 9:26:04 AM PDT by nuconvert

N.J. Town Targets Cats in Effort to Protect Endangered Birds

August 04, 2007

CAPE MAY, N.J. —

Cats are as much a part of this seaside town's genteel culture as rainbow-colored Victorian bed-and-breakfasts, trolley tours and cocktails on the porch at sunset.

They're also suspect No. 1 in many deaths of the endangered piping plover, a fist-sized, white-and-brown fuzzball of a bird that has closed beaches and stopped development projects in the interest of protecting their habitat.

With only 115 pairs of piping plovers left in the state, the federal government may intervene on the side of the birds, which has set both fur and feather flying here. Cat lovers fear the roaming felines will be euthanized, while bird lovers are wary of a rare species being wiped out.

"This is a very emotional issue; this really is a cat town," said resident Pat Peckham. "I think they should leave the cats where they are. I'm a firm believer in letting nature take its course."

A cat's nature and its appetite for critters are just what have bird enthusiasts concerned.

Cape May is one of the prime bird-watching spots in all of North America; the World Series of Birding is held here each year. And with bird watching and related expenditures bringing in nearly $2 billion a year to New Jersey's economy, the feathers may win this fight.

The plovers, which breed on East Coast beaches during warm weather, build nest in sandy, open stretches of beach, making them and their chicks easy prey for a variety of predators, including foxes, gulls, raccoons and cats.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: New Jersey
KEYWORDS: animalrights; birds; cats; newjersey; nj
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 last
To: Scotsman will be Free
ALLEY CAT ALLIES. An organization that isn't ignorant on the subject. Check it out and then read my tagline.
www.alleycat.org
61 posted on 08/06/2007 5:39:25 AM PDT by Fawn (PLEASE UN-IGNORANT YOURSELF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: brytlea

Excuse me but I know for a fact in the city of Buffalo alone...that there are so many dogs kept in fenced backyards 24-7 that kill tons of birds. THe owners brag about it. The dogs are all vicious and kept outside to guard their homes. Many many neighborhoods all over the country -—have dogs kept outside for that purpose-— to guard their homes. The dogs are good at catching and killing birds and do so in GREAT NUMBERS.


62 posted on 08/06/2007 5:42:33 AM PDT by Fawn (PLEASE UN-IGNORANT YOURSELF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert


I wouldn't hurt a fly either. But mice, on the other hand...

R.I.P., Kat 1987 - 2006
63 posted on 08/06/2007 5:43:33 AM PDT by LIConFem (Thompson 2008. Lifetime ACU Rating: 86 -- Hunter 2008 (VP) Lifetime ACU Rating: 92)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Ha!
A liberal idea I can get behind!
Who Knew?


64 posted on 08/06/2007 5:44:42 AM PDT by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: flintsilver7

While they are at it, they should do something about the dang geese!


65 posted on 08/06/2007 5:45:25 AM PDT by bk1000 (A clear conscience is a sure sign of a poor memory)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Fawn

How do you converse with someone who’s first statement is that you are ignorant? You don’t, because it’s a waste of time.
LIve on a real farm for a few years then come tell me all about feral cats.


66 posted on 08/06/2007 5:57:01 AM PDT by Scotsman will be Free (11C - Indirect fire, infantry - High angle hell - We will bring you, FIRE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
67 posted on 08/06/2007 6:05:55 AM PDT by Tatze (I'm in a state of taglinelessness!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Scotsman will be Free
I know more about them than you do. What makes you think I never lived in farm country?
PS. I wasn't looking to converse.
68 posted on 08/06/2007 6:06:34 AM PDT by Fawn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Tatze

Yummy - the more endangered the bird, the tastier they are.


69 posted on 08/06/2007 6:09:16 AM PDT by Hoodlum91 (I support global warming.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: frithguild

Flying rats bump


70 posted on 08/06/2007 7:00:03 AM PDT by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Fawn

I guess you’ve never seen cats hunt and kill birds.
susie


71 posted on 08/06/2007 10:03:14 AM PDT by brytlea (amnesty--an act of clemency by an authority by which pardon is granted esp. to a group of individual)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Fawn

You’ll have to show me some proof. I’ve spent most of my adult life around dogs, especially bird dogs. It’s rare for a dog to catch a healthy bird. Let me let you in on a secret. Birds fly. Dogs don’t.
There, I was glad to help.
susie


72 posted on 08/06/2007 10:05:11 AM PDT by brytlea (amnesty--an act of clemency by an authority by which pardon is granted esp. to a group of individual)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Fawn

Yeah, everybody on this forum used to live on farm. None of you was raised in town.
The only thing you know more than I do is how to be an obnoxious know it all. By the way, I know you weren’t looking to converse. Know it alls never do, they simply dictate.


73 posted on 08/06/2007 11:08:41 AM PDT by Scotsman will be Free (11C - Indirect fire, infantry - High angle hell - We will bring you, FIRE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson