A single stray cat has wiped out a colony of endangered ground squirrels – around 20 animals – at the farm of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki’s Agricultural School, raising concerns about the impact of stray pets on native wildlife.
“This was a healthy, compact colony over an area of 4,000 square meters,” Dr Lida Rammou, a postdoctoral researcher studying the species, told the Athens-Macedonia News Agency on Tuesday. “But after one cat appeared in 2023, the colony was completely gone within two years.”
Rammou noted the cat was very adept at hunting the squirrels, particularly juveniles, and was nearly impossible to remove due to her feral nature and kittens.
“It’s not about blaming the animal. It’s a complex issue that needs coordinated management,” she said.
For biologist Elias Strachinis, stray cats are a growing threat that have “contributed to the extinction of at least 63 wildlife species globally.”
“The cat is not a natural part of any ecosystem; it’s a human creation through selective breeding,” he explained. “The fault lies with us, not the cats.”
He emphasized the need for public education, more intensive spaying/neutering campaigns, responsible pet ownership, and rapid removal of stray animals from sensitive habitats.
Animal welfare volunteer Evi Kalaitzidou agreed: “Systematic sterilization is urgent. Coordination between agencies is the key. The solutions are there; we just need to work together.”