Survey on the population and reproduction of free-ranging cats at the Xianlin Campus of Nanjing University
The free-ranging cat is a significant threat to global biodiversity,yet there is a dearth of research on the funda-mental biology of these non-domesticated felines within China.Between 2018 and 2022,we undertook a comprehensive study focusing on the population dynamics and reproductive biology of free-ranging cats on the Xianlin Campus of Nan-jing University,which covers approximately 195 hectares.Utilizing point sampling surveys conducted over a continuous 20-day period,we generated a population accumulation curve for the cat population.Despite having pre-existing knowl-edge of the cats'distribution,we found that a single day of sampling yielded a discovery rate of only 51.22％,with a confidence interval of 44.51％to 53.66％.This rate improved to 84.15％(confidence interval:81.10％to 86.59％)fol-lowing six days of repeated sampling efforts.From 2018 to 2022,the cat population on the Xianlin Campus of Nanjing University saw a swift increase,rising from 51 individuals in 2018 to 220 by 2022.To delve into the population's dy-namics and reproductive patterns,we conducted detailed monthly surveys six times between March 2021 and March 2022.Over this period,we documented a total of 273 cats,comprising 149 adults and 124 kittens,with a near-even sex ratio.The one-year retention rate for the cats was approximately 58.71％,with a marked difference favoring neutered cats over their unneutered counterparts in terms of survival.Regarding reproduction,while cats are capable of breeding year-round,the peak breeding season is predominantly from March to June.Among the 65 recorded litters,84 cats sur-vived past the six-month mark.Assuming an average litter size of 3 to 4 kittens,the survival rate of these feral cats on the campus at six months was estimated to be around 36.92％,with a range of 32.31％to 43.08％.Our findings suggest that sampling efforts of low intensity may have led to an underestimation of the free-ranging cat population.Further-more,in an environment where human care is abundant,the survival and reproductive success rates of these cats remain high,unaffected by limitations in food,shelter,or disease.This presents considerable challenges for the control and man-agement of free-ranging cat populations.
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