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We have something of a mouse plague here in rural New South Wales (Australia) at the moment.[1] Such measures wouldn't even begin to put a dent in numbers here

We have something of a mouse plague here in rural New South Wales (Australia) at the moment.[1] Such measures wouldn't even begin to put a dent in numbers here. Right now they're trying to fast-track approval of some quite strong pesticides in an effort to control it, but some are worried about the collateral damage.[2] Warning: Many pictures of mice dead and alive. [1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-11/farmers-step-up-battle-as-mice-plague-worsens/100130198 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-11/farmers-step-up-battl... [2] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-24/nsw-mouse-plague-farmers-residents-face-bankruptcy/100153404 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-24/nsw-mouse-plague-farm...

cpeterso 5y ago
New Zealand has a "Predator Free 2050" program to eliminate all non-native predators by 2050 because they are threatening New Zealand's bird species. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_Free_2050 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_Free_2050 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48702762 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48702762
- raverbashing 5y ago
  Well this has a non-zero chance of turning into "Unchecked prey 2050" in reality.
  - crooked-v 5y ago
    The program is specifically about non-native predators, not all predators.
    - raverbashing 5y ago
      You're assuming NZ has significant native predators. But it doesn't have any major native mammalian predator. https://www.nznatureguy.com/2019/04/10/new-zealands-big-3-predators-stoats-rats-possums/ https://www.nznatureguy.com/2019/04/10/new-zealands-big-3-pr... One interesting "proof" of it is the Kiwi bird existing, because it could have not existed with competent predators.
      - dmos62 5y ago
        If you don't have a native predator then you don't have a native prey either. Need a predator for there to be a prey.
- kragen 5y ago
  > eliminate all non-native predators Does this include Māori too or only pakeha?
- funwares 5y ago
  Although a much smaller feat, New Zealand was very successful in eradicating an estimated 200.000 mice from Antipodes Island without affecting native animals populations [1] There is an interesting video about the preparatory research leading up to this highly successful pest eradication [2] Very curious to see how well the Predator Free 2050 program will turn out. [1] https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/eradicating-mice-from-antipodes-island/ https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/eradicating-mice-from-antip... [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVcqLblOHCM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVcqLblOHCM
  - xyzzy123 5y ago
    Will be interesting to see how well this works given the political impossibility of eradicating cats.
anonAndOn 5y ago
Is this a cyclical event brought on by a natural phenomenon like mautam, the rat flood? [0]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mautam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mautam
- shakna 5y ago
  Yes and no. We do often see a cyclical rise in the populations of rats, however a population increase of this size has never been recorded before. It is currently 400% of the size of the last record holder, and still growing.
vgeek 5y ago
Another former French colony still has a rat (well, beaver sized rat) bounty-- Louisiana's $6/tail Nutria bounty! https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_a5b2f5f6-99f4-11e9-8602-0bb16520c4f2.html https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_a5b2f5f6-99f4-...

cpeterso 5y ago

New Zealand has a "Predator Free 2050" program to eliminate all non-native predators by 2050 because they are threatening New Zealand's bird species. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_Free_2050 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predator_Free_2050 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48702762 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48702762

raverbashing 5y ago
Well this has a non-zero chance of turning into "Unchecked prey 2050" in reality.
- crooked-v 5y ago
  The program is specifically about non-native predators, not all predators.
  - raverbashing 5y ago
    You're assuming NZ has significant native predators. But it doesn't have any major native mammalian predator. https://www.nznatureguy.com/2019/04/10/new-zealands-big-3-predators-stoats-rats-possums/ https://www.nznatureguy.com/2019/04/10/new-zealands-big-3-pr... One interesting "proof" of it is the Kiwi bird existing, because it could have not existed with competent predators.
    - dmos62 5y ago
      If you don't have a native predator then you don't have a native prey either. Need a predator for there to be a prey.
kragen 5y ago
> eliminate all non-native predators Does this include Māori too or only pakeha?
funwares 5y ago
Although a much smaller feat, New Zealand was very successful in eradicating an estimated 200.000 mice from Antipodes Island without affecting native animals populations [1] There is an interesting video about the preparatory research leading up to this highly successful pest eradication [2] Very curious to see how well the Predator Free 2050 program will turn out. [1] https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/eradicating-mice-from-antipodes-island/ https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/eradicating-mice-from-antip... [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVcqLblOHCM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVcqLblOHCM
- xyzzy123 5y ago
  Will be interesting to see how well this works given the political impossibility of eradicating cats.

anonAndOn 5y ago

Is this a cyclical event brought on by a natural phenomenon like mautam, the rat flood? [0]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mautam https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mautam

shakna 5y ago
Yes and no. We do often see a cyclical rise in the populations of rats, however a population increase of this size has never been recorded before. It is currently 400% of the size of the last record holder, and still growing.

vgeek 5y ago

Another former French colony still has a rat (well, beaver sized rat) bounty-- Louisiana's $6/tail Nutria bounty! https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_a5b2f5f6-99f4-11e9-8602-0bb16520c4f2.html https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_a5b2f5f6-99f4-...