Stray cat extermination plan a rumor, say Jingshan Park employees

Stray cat extermination plan a rumor, say Jingshan Park employees

• Source: Global Times
• [08:46 March 18 2011]
• Comments

Jingshan Park employees denied allegations that they would kill all stray cats found on the grounds in order to ensure the safety of bred squirrels soon to be released in the park.

The park will arrange a special area for the squirrels to be introduced, and would "never kill strays," park employees told the Legal Mirror Thursday.

"Jingshan Park is counting the number of stray cats to kill them, so they can release squirrels in the park," a web user named "CAT is tiger" posted on a Sina microblog Wednesday, calling for concerned citizens to help save the stray cats from perishing.

The wild squirrels living among the park's old pine and cypress trees attract many tourists and photographers every year.

In response to popular demand, Jingshan Park contacted a squirrel farm, which will provide about 30 squirrels bred in captivity in May, reported the paper.

"In March and April when new squirrels are born, stray cats in the parks could pose a potential threat to them," a staff member surnamed Zhao at the Beijing Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Center told the Global Times Thursday.

However, the center hasn't received any recent reports regarding cats injuring baby squirrels, he said.

Global Times