A recent research project has uncovered an innovative way to use sound as a harmless deterrent to prevent cats from disturbing nesting native birds.
Senior scientist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Patrick Garvey, shared with RNZ that the goal was to develop a non-lethal method to deter both feral and domestic cats.
While feral cats have been identified as a target species for the Predator Free 2050 initiative, domestic cats are beloved pets in many New Zealand homes.
Although the exact number of feral cats in New Zealand is unknown, estimates suggest there may be more than the widely cited 2.4 million.
The inspiration for this research stemmed from a successful trial in Canada in 2016, where the sound of dogs barking was used to deter raccoons. Garvey’s team received funding years later to conduct similar experiments targeting cats.
After conducting tests, they discovered that feral cats were most deterred by the sound of human voices, while domestic cats were most averse to the sound of other cats.
Further studies involved placing feral cats in enclosed areas with different sound stimuli to observe their reactions. Results showed that 40 percent of cats avoided food protected by sounds of other cats and dogs barking, while 70 percent avoided food protected by human voices.
The researchers are now focusing on protecting colony breeding birds near rivers from feral cats. They are also collaborating with Auckland Council to implement sound deterrents in another reserve.
Garvey emphasized that while the sound cues can deflect a significant portion of cats, it is not a foolproof solution. However, it serves as a valuable tool to educate the community about the impact of roaming cats.
Ultimately, Garvey believes that this method can raise awareness and encourage responsible pet ownership, potentially reducing the harm caused by cats in the environment.
