NHK reported on the mass extermination of petrels by cats on the island of Mikura in Japan

On the Japanese island of Mikura, due to the hunting of feral cats, the population of striped petrels has decreased from 3.5 million to 100 thousand individuals. This was reported on July 27 by the NHK broadcasting company.

"In the late 1970s, Mikura Island in the Izu Islands, known as the largest breeding ground for [petrels], was estimated to have a maximum breeding population of 3.5 million birds. However, by 2016, the population had decreased to about 100,000 birds," the publication says.

Based on research, it was found that one cat eats about 330 birds per year. In total, at least 3.5 thousand birds die during this period, experts from the Scientific Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Products said.

"The problem of predation by cats is serious. It is the responsibility of people to strengthen control over the wildcat population so as not to damage the ecosystem," said Yui Wataru, head of the research group.

Horny experience: scientists from the Russian Federation assessed the possibility of the transition of the disease "zombie deer" to humans

The pathogen has taken a step towards breaking the interspecies barrier and could become infectious to humans in the future, experts believe

On June 4, it was reported that red-eared turtles had captured Lake 30'Ka in Zheleznovodsk, Stavropol Territory. A multiple increase in the number of reptiles was noticed during the preparation for the bathing season. It is noted that reptiles behave quite aggressively — they hunt fish, eat algae, dominate and displace other wildlife species.