Feral cats in Cuba were found to have preyed on 145 critically endangered baby Cuban crocodiles in 2022, according to a recent study by biologists. The Cuban crocodile, unique to Cuba’s Zapata and Lanier swamps, faces severe endangerment, with only around 3,000 estimated to exist in the wild. The attacks occurred at the Zapata Swamp Crocodile Breeding Farm, where the world’s largest breeding operation for Cuban crocodiles is located. Over a month, 145 four-month-old crocs fell victim to the predators. Evidence, including markings, fur, camera trap footage, and eyewitness accounts, pointed to feral cats as the culprits. The attacks ceased after seven feral cats were removed from the area.
While not posing an immediate existential threat, the incidents shed light on the potential impact of free-roaming cats on native ecosystems. Feral cats, considered among the world’s worst invasive species, are implicated in significant wildlife loss globally, including billions of bird and mammal deaths annually in the United States. Measures to mitigate their impact, such as trapping and sterilization, are considered necessary, particularly in areas where populations are abundant.
The study’s authors advocate for monitoring and potentially reducing feral cat populations in areas where Cuban crocodiles reside to safeguard the species. Depending on population size, strategies could range from sterilization to more drastic measures like lethal methods to control numbers.
