A customer recently shared this article with us. We wanted to share with you the far-reaching dangers of using rodenticides to address a rat infestation.
Article Summary
- A red-tailed hawk was found weak and likely poisoned by second-generation rodenticides after eating contaminated rodents.
- These rodenticides disrupt blood clotting, leading to severe internal bleeding and threatening various wildlife species.
- Evidence shows a wide range of predatory animals, such as wolves, foxes, and eagles, are affected and often carry these toxins.
- Despite regulations aimed at limiting the use of rodenticides, they remain widely available and continue to pose a risk to wildlife and humans.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed tighter restrictions on these chemicals due to their dangers, but industry groups oppose these measures.
- Alternative rodent control methods, like environmental management and non-toxic traps, are being investigated but face implementation challenges, especially in urban areas.
- The article ends with a positive note about the successful recovery and release of the poisoned hawk back into the wild, underscoring the ongoing battle against the harmful effects of rodenticides.
Read and download the article here: Rat Poison's Long Reach
[source: science.org]
