Stray cats from Mara Island, which caused conflict by threatening wild birds such as horned ducks, which are designated as natural monuments, are taken out of the island.
The Cultural Heritage Administration said on the 17th, “As a result of the second meeting of the ‘Natural Preservation Zone Response Plan for Reduction of Damage to Animals’, the horned ducks have already started to arrive in Marado, so we decided to take all stray cats out of Marado.” As the subject is a ‘stray cat’, cats adopted and raised by residents are excluded from taking them out.
The horned duck is a rare bird with only about 5,000 to 6,000 left worldwide as a second-class endangered wildlife. I came to Marado around mid-February, and recently two horned ducks were observed. In a situation where controversy erupted when cats in Marado attacked hornbeams, it was finally decided to take them out as the arrival of hornbeams was imminent.
An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration who attended the meeting said, “Since the hornbill is dying, the opinion has been reached to take the cat out.” The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to carry out the export first and come up with a plan for safe management of the cats in consultation with related organizations. It was also decided to prepare separate guidelines on the number of cats left in the village and how to manage them.
Marado’s cats became a problem when residents brought them to catch mice, but the population increased rapidly and killed horned ducks. It used to be close to 200 when there were many, but it is estimated to be around 80 now. According to the thesis ‘Analysis of Habitat Status, Habitat and Viability of Cats for the Conservation of the Horned Duck Population in Marado Island’ (Kim Yu-jin, 2019), 80 cats is enough to exterminate the horned duck within 20 years.
Prior to this decision, four sick cats were transferred to the Veterinary College Animal Hospital in Jeju Island. Some pointed out the problem of passing through the council, but the Cultural Heritage Administration said, “As treatment was impossible in Marado, it was transferred with the consent of the Marado Village Residents’ Autonomy Committee (village head). It is not a matter for discussion in the council to take out sick cats who have been forced to come to Jeju Island for emergency treatment because local treatment is not possible,” he explained. The veterinarian used a simple kit to examine and collect blood to select cats that needed urgent treatment.
It was decided to take it out, but there are opposing opinions, so it seems that labor pains will continue. At the meeting that day, there were opinions to promote step by step, about 10% instead of batch export, and opinions against export.
Jeju Vegan Representative Kim Ran-yeong, who expressed an opposing opinion, said, “Because we are a vegan organization, we believe that any life should be cherished and respected for its way of life.” Had it been the other way around, I would have represented the hornbeam.” The Jeju vegan side sympathizes with the premise of protecting horned ducks, but is in a position that protective measures for cats, which are territorial animals, must be urgently prepared together. CEO Kim said, “Cats need a nest where their activity can be guaranteed, but they don’t seem to be interested in it.”
The Cultural Heritage Administration is in the position that deer nets and repellents requested by the opposing party are not allowed. Cats jump over roe deer, and repellents are ineffective in Marado, where the wind blows a lot. There is a case in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, where a closed school facility was used to create a cat school, but the Marado branch school is not closed and residents are waiting for students to attend someday, so it is known that they oppose using it as a facility other than a school.
Reporter Ryu Jae-min