SOCIAL AND REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR
AMONG A POPULATION OF STRAY DOMESTIC
CATS IN BERLIN AS WELL AS POSSIBILITIES
FOR CONTROL OF CAT POPULATIONS

Beate Kalz, Dr. sc. Klaus-Manfred Scheibe, Knut Eichhorn
Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research,
Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, D-10315 Berlin

INTRODUCTION In most European cities more or less large populations of stray domestic cats (Felis catus) live, who have a high rate of reproduction. This population is also constantly enlarged by abandoned and run-away domestic cats. An effective control over the size of this kind of cat population poses a problem. Castration-drives have been undertaken, for example in Berlin by the „Tierschutzverein" (society for the protection of animals), for years without showing the desired durable success.

METHODS To get an overview of the current status, in an outlined area of Berlin, the cat population is recorded according to age and sex structures. Use of space, choice of nourishment and population density of these animals is investigated. Both territorial behaviour and reproductive behaviour of male and female cats are individually investigated and their influence on reproductive success is determined. One of the questions is, to what extent are castrated male cats expelled from their territory and whether the rate of reproduction in the cat population changes after the castration of male cats. In addition there is observation of whether the castration of female cats influences the hierarchies and population densities among the cat population.

An installation (Cat Box) for long-term observation of a cat population was developed. This involves a feeding place with integrated animal identification and weight scales, in which the cats can also be trapped. The Cat Box is permanently observed by way of video.

RESULTS Up till now, twelve cats were observed, who live in the area under investigation and come to the Cat Box. An analysis is being made of which cats use the Cat Box at which times. Simultaneously, specific cats were followed with radio-tracking and their behaviour was observed.