Wildlife Conservation Groups Worry Rodenticides Affect Ecology, Misuse May Lead to Fewer Natural Predators

Central News Agency (Reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 2nd) - Residents frequently report recent sightings of rats in Taipei City streets and rodenticides being placed in parks, raising concerns about children and pets accidentally ingesting them. Wildlife conservation groups are also worried about rodenticides affecting the ecosystem, pointing out that the misuse of rodenticides, due to the food chain, actually leads to a decrease in natural predators of rats. The Taiwan Raptor Research Group posted on Facebook today, stating that between 2021 and 2024, the group examined the livers or stomach contents of 106 raptors of 10 species that died for various reasons. The results showed that 61% tested positive for rodenticide residues, and among the positive raptors, 68% tested positive for two or more agents. Additionally, in samples of Crested Goshawks from Taipei City and Keelung City, the rodenticide detection rate was 92%; two of them had five types of rodenticides detectable in their bodies, indicating that rodenticide use has never decreased in raptors. The research group believes that the misuse of rodenticides will not reduce the overall rat population; instead, it will cause more problems. This is mainly because, with abundant food resources, rats will not obediently eat rodenticides. As long as there are surviving rats, the rat population will inevitably rebound. Secondly, predators with lower reproductive rates die from ingesting rodenticides due to the food chain, and fewer predators mean the rat population cannot be suppressed. Furthermore, the research group said that rats develop resistance to rodenticides. Currently, there are several types of rodenticides on the market, with anticoagulant types divided into first and second generations. Mass deployment without a coordinated drug use plan is cultivating super rats. The research group pointed out that rodenticides have been invented for 100 years, and over-reliance or sole use of rodenticides cannot eradicate the rat problem. Other measures are needed to achieve the desired effect. First, control the rats' food sources, including: waste (landfill) management, clearing animal feeding points, sealing and cleaning sewage pipes, and not dumping food into drains. Second, inspect pipes in indoor spaces and seal rat pathways. If there is a rat problem, seek professional public health personnel or pest control operators, and do not randomly administer drugs. The Taiwan Herpetological Conservation Association stated that rodenticides can kill higher-level predators through bioaccumulation in the food web, and rats have strong reproductive capabilities. Before the number of high-level predators recovers, the rat population may further increase. The association believes that feeding rodenticides results in a triple kill of rats, snakes, and raptors. After stopping use, rats will quickly rebound due to the lack of natural enemies. Besides raptors and snakes, Taiwan Blue Magpies, Black-crowned Night Herons, and even Formosan Ferret-badgers may also be harmed. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150502. Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom. Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly. The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.