‘캣맘 금지법’ 논란에 최재천 교수 “고양이 없애야 새가 산다? 학술적 근거 없어”

A leading Korean academic, Professor Choi Jae-cheon from Ewha Womans University, has spoken out against the controversial "no-meowing law" (캣맘 금지법), stating that there is no academic basis for the notion that eradicating cats leads to an increase in bird populations. The proposal, which gained traction after a viral video by a YouTuber named '새덕후', argues for stricter control over cats and improved management systems.

Professor Choi made his remarks during a video posted on his YouTube channel 'Choi Jae-cheon's Amazon' on the 20th, criticizing the idea that "killing cats will make birds thrive". He argued that such a solution is not valid and called for more thorough academic research on the issue, noting that studies on the topic have not been conducted to a satisfactory level in Korea.

Professor Choi also pointed out that the example of Australia's policy, which he cited as evidence for the proposed law, is not an appropriate reference, as ecological research results can vary greatly depending on the region. He emphasized that observing one instance of a cat preying on a bird does not conclusively prove that cats are responsible for reducing bird populations.

Instead, he stressed that the decline in bird populations can be attributed to factors such as habitat loss, environmental destruction, pollution, and ecological mismatch, which occur when the breeding and feeding cycles of birds and animals become mismatched due to climate change. Professor Choi also noted that the notion of treating stray cats as "wild animals" like pigeons or sparrows is not in line with the concept of responsible pet ownership.

He cautioned that treating stray cats as "nature's problem" could be seen as irresponsible, and that as lifelong ecologists, they must recognize that nature is far more complex than simple solutions can address.