Living Wild in a Mediterranean Island: Spatial and Temporal Behaviour of Free-Roaming Cats in Cyprus

Cats are among the most beloved and affectionate companion animals to humans. Historically, they have been utilised to manage pests or offer comfort and companionship, a practice that continues today. Due to human malpractice, unowned free-roaming cats (as stray pets or feral cats) are now considered amongst the 100 worst invasive species, and are responsible for the decline and even the disappearance of many wild species worldwide. Free-roaming cats maintain their hunting instincts, causing problems for native species, which is recognised as a major issue in island biodiversity. Despite their impact, limited studies have been conducted to understand the spatial activity of free-roaming cats in the Mediterranean when they are away from their caregivers (owners who feed and care for their cats while allowing unrestricted outdoor roaming). To investigate this, we used GPS tracking collars to monitor 15 free-roaming cats on the island of Cyprus, during spring-autumn 2022. The monitored cats were active in a spectrum of different habitats, from forests and farmland to shrublands and the suburbs. We monitored cats for 5.6 days, on average, to investigate their home range sizes (KDE 95%; median: males = 55,678 m²; females = 11,377 m²), daily distance travelled (median: males = 1233 m; females = 538 m), and daily/nocturnal activity, and the factors that influence these patterns. The animals' sex, shelter availability, and the type of coverage in an area show statistically significant differences in relation to their home range, while activity peaked during the afternoon hours, a finding that is also statistically confirmed. Although the sample size of the study is relatively small, the influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the home range of free-roaming cats in Cyprus is revealed. These findings offer quantitative evidence and can contribute to wildlife conservation and free-roaming cat management.