Crime in the Réunion: Cat hunting is in open season

On 23 February, One Voice filed an interim appeal to suspend a recent order from the Prefect of the Réunion, which allows the controlling of stray cat populations near the nesting sites of the Barau Petrel and Bourbon Black Petrel seabirds. These endemic species of highly endangered seabirds have been the subject of successive and legitimate conservation plans since 2008. The occasional predation of birds by hungry cats is one of the possible threats identified by these plans (among 'others, like that of rats, which cats chase ...), the Prefect implements massive, totally illegal measures, which are the lethal capture and trapping of all stray cats over large areas of the National Park of the Réunion, for a period of 2 years.

State deficiencies in the management of feline strays, despite the record of euthanasia on the island (15,000 cats per year), is being carried out underhandly using the risk of extinction of Petrels. Already victims of abandonment or loss of their homes for first-generation cats, here now these cats are the target of illegal trapping, using different techniques: cages-traps, "Steve Allan Conibear-kill trap" and "Timms" devices. Kill traps or poisoned bait.

All of these attacks on the lives of domestic animals are prohibited, they seem not concerned by the regulations about animals liable to cause damage (formerly known as «harmful») or affected by rabies.

While other means could be used, deadly traps and poisonings are deployed without knowing which cats (or other animals) will be victims, for lack of prior identification. Activated traps are supposed to be removed within 24 hours ... in remote areas around the cirque of Cilaos (Piton des Neiges, Grand Bénare, Dimitile). A day at least of torture for each cat trapped under the blinding hot sun. We are anticipating the court date...