Curiosity killed the bat: Domestic cats as bat predators (original) (raw)

Domestic cats are suspected to have a significant impact on wild populations of bats, yet reports of such predation are limited. This study analyzed 1012 records of bats from wildlife rescue centers in peninsular Italy between 2009 and 2011. The findings indicate that predation by cats accounted for 28.7% of bat admissions, predominantly affecting adult female house-roosting bat species, especially during summer. Predation events were more prevalent in rural and sparsely urban areas. The analysis calls for conservation strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of domestic cats on bat populations.