IPB University Expert Warns of Latent Danger of Feral Cat Population Explosion in Jakarta
Jakarta, as the nation’s capital, continues to attract many migrants, resulting in a sharp increase in population every year. In addition to facing classic problems such as illegal settlements and water shortages, the city is also faced with an increasing feral cat population that is rarely highlighted.
Professor of IPB University, Prof Ronny Rachman Noor also reviewed this phenomenon. He says the explosion of the feral cat population should not be taken lightly, as it can lead to serious health problems.
“Cats are adorable and fun pets. However, if the population is not controlled, it can become a real health problem for Jakarta residents,” he said.
Population Explosion and Its Impact
Based on data released by the Jakarta Food, Marine and Agriculture Agency, the estimated number of stray cats in the city reaches 860.000.
If the data is extrapolated, the overall number of feral cats in the capital city reaches more than 1,5 million. This number is predicted to increase as these feral cats reproduce quickly and produce large numbers of offspring.
“The problem of feral cats in the nation’s capital can no longer be considered a minor problem because feral cats can be a problem for the spread of diseases such as rabies, toxoplasma, and other zoonotic diseases, including COVID-19 which is very serious for Jakarta residents,” said Prof Ronny.
Several years ago in Cyprus thousands of cats died suddenly which according to the results of the investigation was caused by the Feline Coronavirus variant which is classified as malignant. The Cyprus government officially released data that there were around 300 thousand cats that died due to the outbreak of this virus.
Sudden cat deaths also occurred in the UK and Poland. This incident is a global warning that the more virulent Feline Coronavirus is slowly but surely spreading to various parts of the world including Lebanon, Turkey and Israel.
Prof Ronny said that feral cats are also a very serious problem in Australia because they are one of the wildlife predators that have an impact on the decline in the number of native Australian wildlife.
“As an illustration, there are as many as 700 thousand feral cats in urban areas in Australia, around 14 million in bush areas, and 5.6 million feral cats scattered in other areas,” he said.
According to the Ecological Genetics Expert of
IPB University, the explosion of the feral cat population in Jakarta cannot be separated from the ineffectiveness of the population control program due to limited human resources (HR) and funding and also the awareness of cat owners in maintaining cats properly.
“Often due to non-sterilization, pet cats multiply uncontrollably. The increase in the number of cats owned is often not followed by the ability to maintain and feed the cats, so eventually many cats are discarded and develop into feral cats,” said Prof Ronny.
One reproductive cycle of domestic cats can produce more than three litters per birth. In a year, cats can experience 3-4 births.
“Therefore, we can understand that the reproduction of feral cats will be even more difficult to control, so with the estimated number of existing cats, the feral cat problem will become a time bomb,” he explained.
Prof Ronny is of the view that cat sterilization is indeed one way to control the domestic cat population. However, keep in mind that not all families can afford to spend the money on cat sterilization.
As an illustration, the cheapest cost to sterilize a female cat is Rp300.000 – Rp400,000. For male cats, the cost is slightly cheaper at Rp250.000 – Rp350.000.
“In addition, cat sterilization based on existing regulations must be carried out by a veterinarian. Therefore, cooperation between veterinarians and cat-loving and caring communities is one of the keys that determine the success of cat population control, in addition to the role of the city government,” Prof Ronny explained.
According to him, controlling the feral cat population is not easy because before sterilizing these feral cats must be trapped and captured as much as possible.
“With this massive number of feral cats, we can imagine this work is not easy to do. After being sterilized and treated for some time, these feral cats can be released again,” he explained.
Another thing to note, continued Prof Ronny, is that cat population control through this sterilization program must be carried out regularly and sustainably. This step is important to produce a real impact on reducing and controlling the feral cat population in Jakarta.
He explained that the problem of the explosion of feral cats was also inseparable from the awareness of people who usually throw away kittens if they are no longer able to keep them. This habit, he said, certainly adds to the complexity of the problem because it contributes greatly to the increase in the feral cat population in Jakarta.
“The habit of people catching feral cats around their homes and dumping them elsewhere also plays a big role in the spread of the population,” said Prof Ronny.
In addition, he said, another social issue that also contributes to the increase in the number of feral cats is the difference of opinion regarding sterilization as a means of population control. Not everyone, including animal health practitioners, agrees with the sterilization program.
Efforts by the local government to conduct mass sterilization have been made. For example, this year the South Jakarta Food Security, Marine and Fisheries Agency launched a cat sterilization program with a target of 2.300 stray cats.
Prof Ronny emphasized that in controlling the feral cat population, the city government must of course be able to work together with all elements of society including various cat-loving organizations whose role is very central. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
