Experts from Dalian, Liaoning Province, have appealed to locals not to abandon their pet cats because of the increasing number of strays have become a menace to the wild birds living around the city.

A recent survey of the wild bird population found that more than 70 species of wild birds, including some protected rare species, winter in Dalian's urban forests, thanks in large part to improvements to the local ecosystem.

Unfortunately, more and more stray cats, mostly abandoned ones, are also gathering in the forests, drawn to the plentiful food. The bodies of some small birds have turned up, and experts said the killers could be stray cats.

Wild birds in Liaoning Province

(Dalian Daily December 12, 2007)