Rat Trap

Perhaps some of you have seen the story currently making the rounds about giant rats invading the Florida Keys. The ISW first posted about the Gambian pouch rats (Cricetomys gambianus) in Grassy Key back in 2005, and then again when the eradication program began in 2006. Now Yahoo! News and others are reporting that the eradication program is entering its last phase. Wildlife officials are out in Grassy Key setting traps using peanut butter mixed with almond extract and anise. Sounds pretty yummy until the part about the poison zinc phosphide.

The really interesting story here is not about the pouch rats, which are old news, but about this eradication project holding up other invasive species control projects, in particular the feral cat problem plaguing Big Pine Key. Because the cats are threatening the endangered Lower Keys rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri), there are plans to remove the cats from the island, but with resources low, animal rights activists are turning to Hugh Hefner for help. Yes, you read that right: Hugh Hefner. Check out that scientific name - turns out Hef took an interest in protecting the rabbits and they are now named after him. Frank Cerabino at the Palm Beach Post has the full story.

EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!!!

Back in January 2005, the ISW posted about the Gambian pouch rat (Cricetomys gambianus) invasion in the Florida Keys. Now the Miami Herald is reporting that an eradication program is underway to remove the rodents from Grassy Key and one other island. The big concern at this point is that the giant rats, if not dealt with, will eventually manage to reach Key Largo or even the Florida Everglades and beyond. The current eradication method of choice: traps with poison bait.

Enter The Rat King

USA Today, among others, is reporting that Gambian pouch rats (Cricetomys gambianus) have invaded the Florida Keys. A Florida scientist proudly (kidding) noted that this is the first documented naturalized population of these oversized rodents in the U.S. The ISW first reported on the pouch rats, as vectors of monkeypox, back in June 2003.

Update: Those aren't invasive species, those are land mine detectors! Maybe this will be a boon for the U.S. after all :-).