Invasion of rats to be wiped out by poison

Jonathan Gray

THE unique bird and reptile species that make the Galapagos Islands a treasure for scientists and tourists must be preserved, Ecuadorean authorities say -- and that means hundreds of millions of rats must die.

A helicopter is to begin dropping nearly 22 tons of specially designed poison bait on the islands, launching the second phase of a campaign to clear out the non-native rodents by 2020.

The invasive Norway and black rats, introduced in the 17th century, feed on the eggs and hatchlings of the islands' native species, such as giant tortoises, lava lizards and iguanas.

Rats have also depleted plants on which native species feed and endangered bird species on the 19-island cluster 600 miles from Ecuador's coast.

"It's one of the worst problems the Galapagos have. (Rats) reproduce every three months and eat everything," said Juan Carlos Gonzalez, a specialist with the Nature Conservancy involved in the Phase II eradication operation on Pinzon island and the islet of Plaza Sur.

Phase I of the anti-rat campaign began in January 2011 on Rabida island and about a dozen islets.

hnews@herald.ie

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