The Women’s Development Committee (WDC) of Raa Inguraidhoo has launched an initiative to remove stray cats from the island, following growing public concern about the increasing presence of animals such as cats, crows, and bats.

Speaking to MMTV, the Chairperson of the Inguraidhoo WDC said that the situation had become so overwhelming that many residents, particularly women, feel powerless in their own homes due to the persistent presence of stray cats. She explained that even when doors are kept closed overnight, cats often appear inside by morning. According to her, the animals enter as soon as a door is opened and have become a significant concern, especially in kitchens and food preparation areas.

The Chairperson said these concerns were raised during a community meeting held after Ramadan, which was attended by around 80 women. The Chairperson noted that many attendees described the stray cat problem as a serious and growing issue. According to the WDC, the situation has been made worse by individuals releasing their pet cats into the wild.

In addition to the issue of stray cats, residents also expressed concern about crows and bats, which have reportedly been affecting daily life. The WDC has submitted a formal request to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for assistance in addressing the problems caused by those animals.

As part of its response, the Inguraidhoo WDC published an announcement in the Government Gazette on Sunday, inviting bids to safely remove 300 cats from the island, which has a population of approximately 2,000 people. According to the bid document, the selected party will be required to relocate the cats to an uninhabited island in the safest manner for the cats.