The survey of foreign cats conducted in Nazedaikuma-cho, Amami City last year will finally begin this year in the neighboring Naze-Ariya-cho. This initiative began with an attempt to help combat Noraneko in the urban areas of Amami Oshima, especially in the urban area of Naze. For details, please see the reports on the previous blogs. (Refer to the category "Survey of cats outside ACN") This activity is part of the ACN (Amami Cat Problem Network) activity. ACN is a network of nature conservation groups that are working to raise awareness and solve the cat problem in Amami Oshima, centered on the Amami Wild Bird Society, Amami Mammalian Study Group, and Amami Cat Club. As a representative, I will report on the Amami Cat Club blog.
First of all, we conducted the first preliminary survey over the two days of October 29th (Thursday) and 30th (Friday) last month. About 30 people, including ACN members, gathered. The method is almost the same as Daikuma Town, and you will divide the town into areas and slowly search for cats in the areas you are in charge of. Then, if you find a cat, take a picture → check the map, which is a steady survey.
After that, individual identification will be performed based on the recorded photos and map information. In Okuma Town, we planned to have children enjoy it, so we added coloring elements and even created illustrations and colored them. This time, in order to save time, we compared the photos taken and performed identification work. This work is quite difficult, and there are many types of cat patterns, and the faces and patterns are arranged in various ways. Everyone had a little trouble, but it seems that there were new discoveries, such as not knowing that there are such kinds of cat pattern names and patterns, so I think that you worked quite happily.
After that, individual identification will be performed based on the recorded photos and map information. In Okuma Town, we planned to have children enjoy it, so we added coloring elements and even created illustrations and colored them. This time, in order to save time, we compared the photos taken and performed identification work. This work is quite difficult, and there are many types of cat patterns, and the faces and patterns are arranged in various ways. Everyone had a little trouble, but it seems that there were new discoveries, such as not knowing that there are such kinds of cat pattern names and patterns, so I think that you worked quite happily.
The most important thing in this identification work is to check if the ear is cut. It is also one of the important purposes of the survey. As many of you may already know, if you explain the ear-cut cat again, Amami Oshima is developing a TNR project as one of the measures against wild cats throughout the island by the government. TNR is a series of operations to capture (TRAP) a feral cat (cat outdoors), perform sterilization surgery (NEUTER), and return it to its original location (RETURN). A V-shaped notch is made in either the left or right ear to mark the surgery. (This is a method to prevent you from being captured again and undergoing surgery. Amami Oshima has been doing TNR steadily for many years as an administrative business, as well as the individual and cat departments, and it is becoming more common to see ear-cut cats.
However, it has been difficult to confirm the effect of TNR because it is difficult to monitor urban areas such as Amami City due to the size of the population and area. This foreign cat survey is also one of the tasks for monitoring it.
Let's get back to the story A camera is absolutely necessary to distinguish the ear cut, and it is not a single-lens reflex camera, but it is a good camera. Even if you magnify it, it is difficult to distinguish the ear cut unless you have a camera with a clear image. I had a hard time getting the camera ready, but I managed to get it out of the ACN's savings. In Okuma Town, I was worried about whether the number of cars would be available even on the day of the event, but from now on, I will calmly start the investigation.
And it may have taken some time to get the hang of it because the shooting of the actual cat and the zoom function of the camera were too good, but once I got used to it, I repeated shooting smoothly and it was a wonderful photographer.
Then, collate the data for two days and make a cat map for the preliminary survey. The confirmed individual was pasted on the map and reflected.
2020 Ariya Town Cat Survey Results Total number of witnesses 30 Breakdown With ear cut 20 / Without ear cut 6 / Unknown (no photo) 2 / Domestic cat 2 Infertility rate 74%
At this point, achieving an infertility rate of 74% is amazing. I think it was due to the efforts of Amami City TNR so far. However, individuals without ear cuts have still been witnessed, so we would like you to utilize this result for TNR in Amami City and promote infertility.
After a month, we will conduct another survey in December to confirm the progress of TNR. This time it is a post-survey. I think more information will be updated, such as how far the TNR has progressed and whether there are new witness cats.
This time as well, the investigation was successful with the cooperation of the Ariya Neighborhood Association and the Amami City Section. Before starting the survey, there are actually a lot of simple tasks such as adjusting the schedule and disseminating and announcing the efforts using the town broadcast. Thank you for accepting it. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated and cooperated. Above all, I am really happy that many people felt the meaning and rewardingness of this survey and realized that they deepened their understanding.
I hope that all the parties concerned will continue to do their best, hoping for further expansion.
Both local newspapers were interviewed and articles were posted. The survey results are also posted in detail. Please see the link if you like. Nankai Nihon Shimbun October 30 Article http://www.nankainn.com/a-and-p/適正飼養を推進%E3%80%80有屋町で野良猫調査
Amami Shimbun November 1st Article