Ecologists do not want street cats in La Graciosa because they point out that it is a serious danger to the local fauna. They indeed remember that the law releases the Gatos Ferales (street), after being sterilized (CER/CES method), back to the natural environment and that the The first obligation of administrations is to preserve the biodiversity of the island.
According to them, the duty of the competent administrations (including the island council and the municipalities) Move cats recorded in protected areas in a specialized center or give them responsible adoptionFulfilling the obligation to maintain the well retention of community cats. But returning to a nature park (just like the entire island of La Graciosa) is illegal, they underline them.
Ecologists do not want the cat’s cats on the island
SEO/Birdlife has filed a formal complaint with the animal welfare area of the island of Cabildo de Lanzarote for the conquest and subsequent release of Gatos on the island of La Graciosa in July 2024. This island, that is A sanctuary for sea birds is part of the Natura 2000 network And is protected as a nature park.
The presence of Gatos On islands such as La Graciosa it is a serious threat to the local fauna, especially for sea birds. The Gatos They are efficient predators that can cause Fast and significant extinction of species that are not adapted to their presence. The Environment NGO is registered by the presence in the funny of at least one hundred species of terrestrial vertebrate animals included in the Canary catalog of protected species.
The method for recording, sterilizing and loose or return (CES/CER) applies to the cases of the animal welfare area of the Lanzarote Cabildo has not proved to be effective in this context. This approach not only does not only reduce the population of the population Gatos, but also This allows them to continue to hunt and negatively influence the biodiversity of the island.
Catching and releasing Gatos In such a sensitive and protected area, it contradicts the preservation objectives of the Natura 2000 -Net Does not consider the presence of these animals where they assume a threat to biodiversity.
Various environmental organizations have already warned this fact in September 2024. Now, by this formal complaint, the Ministry of Youth, Open Government, Commerce, Consumption, Craft and Animal Welfare of De HON has been asked. Lanzarote Island Council that the actions carried out are canceled and a resolution is issued with which Reve this campaign about the return of cats to the natural environment And continue with the conquest and withdrawal of the island of La Graciosa of all released copies.
The authorities have been restored Recapture your approach and to implement more effective measures, such as the control of cats without owner that they roast on the island, accompanied by constant supervision to prevent their reintroduction. Moreover, it is crucial to involve the local community in retention and to teach the importance of keeping Gatos Domestic indoors to protect biodiversity.
In the opinion of Yarci Acosta, representative of the NGO in the Canary Islands, “in places such as in La Graciosa We play the fight against loss of biodiversity. We cannot start experimenting strategies that have never worked, such as CER/CES, much less in places as vulnerable and threatened as this one. Gatos In a protected room like this, given whether the judicial route is required.
Kiko Álvarez, responsible for preserving the organization, adds: “The gAtos with owner must be checked and not have access to the natural environmentMoreover, there can be no cats that wander for every Canary natural space. Due to the ecological relevance, the preservation of biodiversity in funny is a priority, and the implementation of adequate measures is essential to protect the valuable species and habitats that are part of the Natura 2000 network. “