Distribution Characteristics Of Unmanaged Cat Colonies
This study of un-managed feral and free roaming cat colonies in New Zealand employed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to explore relationships between cat colonies, human population density, various social indicators, and the types of land where the colonies are located. The researchers found several positive correlations that may be useful for managing cat colonies.
The following “highlights” are excerpted from the original report:
- Data collected from 1999 to 2011 were processed to develop a GIS on the distribution of cat colonies in Auckland, New Zealand.
- Cat colony distribution shows areas with consistent presence indicating persistence of the population.
- Hotspot analysis and cluster/outlier type analysis identify areas where cat colonies are concentrated with consistency.
- Global and local regression show degrees of correlation between colony density, population, land use and social conditions.