In line with updating the Naval environmental policies and bringing them in line with international standards, the presence of feral cats had to be addressed by the Navy. Warrant Officer Esterhuysen spearheaded the humane approach for cat control Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) – proven to be the most successful and cost-effective long-term method.
"Everyone knows about Just Nuisance but few people realize the hard work cats perform to assist us. Working cats control rodent populations in an environmentally friendly way. It is a fact that wherever people gather there is waste which attracts rodents. Rodents are the preferred prey for cats so, closely following the arrival of rodents are our furry friends: the cats. However, to ensure their presence does not end up as a problem, cat populations need to be controlled by a method called Trap-Neuter-Return. To simply remove and get rid of these small "Just Nuisances" results in the scientifically documented vacuum effect - as there is food, a new group of cats soon arrives, starting the cycle all over again. As humans create a food source, nature provides for its control," says Warrant Officer Esterhuysen.
Respecting these animals for their efforts, but recognizing the need to control the feline population, the Cat Assistance Team - operating under TEARS and run by The Cat Lady, Rita Brock - was called in to help. The area around the Diving School and West Yard in Simon's Town was inspected, various hot spots were identified and within two weeks over twenty resident cats were trapped, their health evaluated, sterilized, ear tipped and returned. Rita spearheaded, and personally ran the very successful feral cat project at Pollsmoor Prison that has gone on to be incredibly successful.
"Our goal is to sterilize every cat on the premises, keep records on each cat and ensure their health and well-being, while they provide an excellent rodent control service for the Navy", says Rita.
To ensure the cats are monitored, they receive supplementary food at managed feeding stations. This enables the carer's to monitor the colony closely. Their Qiving areas were closely inspected and have been upgraded to provide suitable, hygienic shelters.
Cats and the Navy have always had close bonds. Some stories are documented historically: Simon, the black and white mascot on board HMS Amethyst during WW2, was awarded the animals' Victoria Cross for his life-saving ratting ability.He saved the crew's dwindling rations during the 101 days the Amethyst was held captive on the banks of the River Yangtze in China.
There is also Thomas Oscar, mascot of HMS Scorpion, who was given the rank of "able-bodied sea cat' and issued with his own kit bag. The crew wrote about his efforts: "He saw service on D-Day and for the duration of the beach-head offensive. Throughout all this he was very cheerful and a big source of comfort to the boys, and is never seasick."
More recently there has been Seaman Snorkel – a seacat who lived on board SAS Fleur. He was known to vehemently defend his territory on water, once attacking the Diving School’s Dog, a Rottweiler called Draeger (ret) who once dared to board SAS Fleur. Draeger took no chances with the spitting se cat and dived overboard into the sea, to be rescued later by the divers. Snorkel was said to rarely get seasick but when feeling queasy, do a type leopard crawl across the deck! Snorkel was the longest serving member on board SAS Fleur.
The navy is to be congratulated for recognising its long history with the feline species and for taking this enlightened step to address its cat population in a humane compassionate and progressive way.
By Kelly Burke