[solardev]

Only in limited areas, though, and in limited numbers. Introducing feral cats to new places in numbers supported by human breeding is totally different than a natural slow extension of their range.

Wildcats that evolved in an ecosystem have their place within it, at numbers supported by the prey population there that co-evolved with them.

When humans suddenly introduce housecats to a new environment where the prey never had the chance to co-evolve, the overnight influx (in evolutionary time) will rapidly decrease the prey populations.

Some birds on long established migratory paths are especially vulnerable too, since they have limited options for resting grounds along the way.