<
https://theconversation.com/a-conservation-conundrum-when-rat-control-to-conserve-one-species-threatens-another-229188>
"When pest rats and mice decimate populations of native species, pest control
is a no-brainer. But what if baiting rats protects threatened songbirds, while
poisoning critically endangered owls?
This is a question conservation managers are grappling with on tiny Norfolk
Island, some 1,300 kilometres off the east coast of Australia. They’re not the
only ones troubled by such conflicting priorities.
Rodents are implicated in the decline of at least 400 threatened species and
30% of bird, mammal and reptile extinctions worldwide. Unfortunately, the most
effective rat baits can also kill birds of prey.
Our new research shows the critically endangered Norfolk Island morepork is
eating even more rats and mice than previously thought. These birds of prey are
being poisoned in the process. We clearly need a way to control or eradicate
rodents without killing our native species."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
