In fact, the 81 percent
kill rate demonstrated during the first four days was nothing new for Summit County; in 1988, Kissel told the Beacon Journal that 90 — 95 percent of the 3,000 — 4,000 cats brought into the shelter each year were killed.
``... the ecological and conservation significance of these
kill tallies is difficult to contextualise, because (1) there are no reliable estimates of the total population of birds in Australia; (2) predation may fall disproportionately on some bird species; (3) some bird species may be able to sustain high mortality
rates and maintain viable populations but others may not; and (4) as
demonstrated here, there is substantial spatial variation in the numbers and proportion of birds
killed across Australia.»