South Korea debate over culling stray cats to protect birds

Birdwatcher and YouTuber Kim Eo‑jin has called for culling stray cats, arguing that the growing cat population on Mara‑do and other areas threatens wild birds. He has linked his videos to a petition urging the South Korean National Assembly to amend the Animal Protection Act with tighter regulations on cat shelters and a ban on feeding stray cats.

The proposal has sparked a fierce online debate between cat‑rights advocates, who promote humane trap‑neuter‑release (TNR) programs, and bird‑conservationists who see cats as a major threat. Critics note that habitat loss and other human activities also endanger birds and question whether culling would be effective. Government data estimate 680,000‑690,000 stray cats live in Seoul and six other major cities as of 2022, prompting discussions on feeding station locations, sanitation, and wildlife protection.