Alaska's Rat Island apparently rid of its namesake pest

Unfortunate side effect to poisoning effort was the loss of 43 bald eagles and many other birds.

Alaska’s Rat Island apparently rid of its namesake pest
By Erika Bolstad | McClatchy Newspapers


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  1. ProWolf in WY Avatar
    ProWolf in WY

    The island may be rid of rats but at what cost? How bad is the soil and water now?

  2. mikepost Avatar
    mikepost

    Rats are notorius egg and chick predators, particularly for ground breeding sea birds. The bird population will be all the better for the extermination of the rats in spite of these one-time losses. Rodent baits have little or no impact on soil and water particularly when used briefly for populations that are eliminated and further baiting not required. Even the bald eagles are in no short supply in this area, unlike the recovering populations in the lower 48.

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Ken Cole is a 5th generation Idahoan, an avid fly fisherman, wildlife enthusiast, and photographer. He is the interim Idaho Director for Western Watersheds Project.

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