Crime in the Réunion: Cat hunting is in open season
One Voice leads a nonviolent fight to defend animal rights and respect all life forms. The organization operates independently and is thus free to speak and act freely.
A cruel and indiscriminate hunt against cats has been opened by the Prefect of the Réunion on the pretext of protecting two endemic bird species. One Voice intervenes…
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…