Your photo in the “Photo Contest” section of the Outdoors page (Feb. 12) of a cat intimidating deer was very irresponsible and insensitive to the effects of domestic animals on wildlife. Domestic cats most likely do not pose a direct threat to deer but like loose dogs can run deer which results in them using precious energy during the winter when finding enough food can be a challenge.
It is also well documented that cats are a serious threat to birds and small mammals. Recent studies by Fish and Wildlife and the Smithsonian Institute surprised even the researchers when they found that cats kill an estimated 3.7 billion (yes that is billion with a “b”) birds each year. In the words of one of the researchers, “Our findings suggest that free-ranging cats cause substantially greater wildlife mortality than previously thought and are likely the single greatest source of anthropocentric mortality for U.S. birds and mammals,”
I would strongly recommend the editors of The Recorder use much better judgment when choosing wildlife photographs and not use ones that are essentially glorifying cats intimidating wildlife. As for the photo contest I would say that photograph is a real loser.
Bill Lafley
New Salem