Question

select the word that means in a wild state.
in a 2013 study, researchers concluded that cats kill an estimated 1.4 billion to 3.7 billion birds every year in the united states. to reduce this astoundingly high number, the investigators exhorted cat owners to keep their pet cats indoors. pointing out that feral cat colonies are responsible for more bird deaths than are domestic cats, the studys authors also urged governments and policy makers to find better ways to control these small predators.
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Explanation:

The text contrasts "feral cat colonies" with "domestic cats". "Domestic" implies a tamed, non - wild state. So, by contrast, "feral" likely means in a wild state.

Answer:

feral