HONOLULU (AP) — A parasite affecting a portion of the feral cat population is responsible for the death of a monk seal in Hawaii.
Hawaii News Now reports (http://bit.ly/1O8Tl0Q) scientists determined the seal died last week due toxoplasma gondii, which reproduces in cats and is excreted through feces.
The parasite lives in the tissue of rodents and small birds.
Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association executive vice president Dr. Eric Ako says about 30 percent of Oahu’s estimated 330,000 feral cats could have the disease.
Michelle Barbieri of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program says in a short period of time, cats could put millions of parasite eggs into the environment.
Barbieri, her colleagues and animal welfare officials are looking at ways of controlling the number of feral cats.