Combating Invasive Species: Dealing with Mice on Marion Island and Big-Headed Tilapia in Thailand
| Conservationists have announced a plan to eradicate invasive mice from Marion Island, a South African territory more than 2,000 km southeast of Cape Town, in order to protect one of the world’s most important seabird populations. The mice have started preying on wandering albatrosses and other seabirds, eating their eggs and attacking adults. The mouse population has increased by about 500% in the past 30 years, posing a threat to the seabird population. To address this, helicopters will drop 600 tons of pesticide pellets across the island.
Thailand is taking action against the West African tilapia, which has spread unchecked nationwide. The predatory tilapia preys on smaller fish, shrimp, and snail larvae, impacting Thailand’s aquaculture industry. The country is encouraging citizens to catch fish and has released tilapia’s natural predators—sea bass and Sperata aor—into waters, as well as developing genetically modified big-headed tilapia that will produce sterile offspring. In Colorado, a U.S. wildlife agency is seeking to capture and relocate the Copper Creek wolf pack, which is part of a wolf reintroduction program. The predators have been attacking livestock, prompting ranching groups to try to kill the pack. Wildlife advocates are calling for additional measures such as electric fencing to prevent further attacks on livestock. |
