06/27/2024
𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥: 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐬
By Jeffy the Journalist
We kitties are an exceptionally successful species. A pair of motivated moggies and their offspring can produce an entire army of feline overlords in just a couple of years. Our reproductive prowess means we’re taking over the world, but it’s been to our detriment.
𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬
Until recently, the human answer to our prolific proclivity has not been the slightest bit humane. Culling (aka killing) the brothers may have quickly cut down feral cats for a while, but eventually, new cats will move in to capitalize on the food source and start banging out more kittens. Since lethal solutions haven’t been effective, rescuers currently rely on trap, neuter, and release programs (TNR) to manage feral cat populations. However, this is expensive and some of we kitties can sense a trap from a mile away.
Birth control, on the other paw, could offer an easier, more cost-effective solution. Everyone knows how hard we are to pill, but research regarding grey squirrels may be what we need to apply the baby brakes.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
Around the world, non-native species are wreaking havoc with endangered animals and costing a tail-load in economic and environmental damage. Exhibit A: American grey squirrels going nuts in the United Kingdom (UK).
In 1876, royal-adjacent landowners in the UK thought the American greys (not to be confused with ET grays) were so cute, they brought them across the Pond to be cute on British estates. You know the biblical command, “Be cute and multiply.” The greys took that literally. Thanks to the greys, UK’s native red squirrel is now classified as endangered. There’s even evidence that grey squirrels may eat songbird eggs and nestlings. And with their sharp teeth, greys kill native trees by stripping the bark, costing the timber industry around £37 million a year (approximately $47 million.)
𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐆𝐨
The Brits tried many of the same lethal control methods on greys that are used on we kitties. Poisons, hunting, or trapping are frankly barbaric, messy, and expensive. In 2015, 21,000 greys involuntarily went to squirrel Heaven, costing around £60 (approximately $75) per squirrel. And the public wasn’t on board with killing cute fuzzies with big eyes. Who wants to be the villain in squirrel Bambi's origin story, right? Besides, extermination isn’t effective with either greys or kitties; we can both reproduce faster than they can eliminate us.
This led British scientists to investigate a novel approach to control grey nut hoarders: birth control. I’m not talking about putting rubbers on tiny squirrel wangs. Instead of giving Mrs. Grey a calendar pill dispenser, trials are underway to test hazelnut treats spiked with one of two contraceptives. Both vaccines are equal opportunity procreation disrupters; they work on both him and her.
Preliminary results suggest the method is working. So far, no side effects have been observed in either of the oral contraceptives being tested. The vaccine is mammal-specific, so birds aren’t at risk. Scientists still need to make sure these contraceptives don't mess with the delicate ecological balance, and they hope to have Project Nut Buster (my title, not theirs) in operation in four or five years.
It’s not just squirrels and cats in the crosshairs of annoyed society. Trials are underway in Europe to get contraceptives into other nuisance species. Across the UK and Europe, wild boars are makin’ way too much bacon. Italian farmers’ associations say the wild boar population has doubled, up from 500,000 in 2010 to one million in 2020. Boars tear up crops, scatter trash, and cause traffic accidents.
While these early trials might not involve we kitties directly, feral and stray felines across the globe could be the biggest beneficiaries of these new fertility developments. Sure, it might take years to get these kitty contraceptives fully operational, but when they do, it’ll be a game-changer. No more extreme methods of population control or relying on those expensive and labor-intensive TNR programs. Maybe someday soon, with contraceptive tuna treats in our bellies, we can finally put an end to the feline overpopulation crisis while keeping our nine lives (and our balls) intact.
Sources:
Animal & Plant Health Agency. “Grey squirrel fertility control research Frequently asked questions – February 2021.” 2024-02. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/media.squirrelaccord.uk/2021/02/UKSA_fertility_control_research_FAQs_February_2021_-_research_-_UK_Squirrel_Accord.pdf. Accessed 2024-06-14.
Phoebe Weston. “How do you put pigeons on the pill? Scientists test contraceptives to curb pest numbers.” The Guardian. 2024-06-14. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/14/wildlife-pest-invasive-species-control-contraceptives-squirrels-pigeons-boars. Accessed 2024-06-14.
Helena Horton. “Oral contraceptives could help reduce grey squirrel numbers, research finds.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/11/oral-contraceptives-could-help-reduce-grey-squirrel-numbers-research-finds. 2022-07-11. Accessed 2024-06-14.
Jason Gilchrist. “Grey squirrels: is birth control the solution to Britain’s invasive species problem?” The Conversation. 2021-02-03. https://theconversation.com/grey-squirrels-is-birth-control-the-solution-to-britains-invasive-species-problem-154400. Accessed 2024-06-24.
