Posted on 07/13/2007 1:41:32 AM PDT by jsh3180
GRASSY KEY — The U.S. Department of Agriculture returned to Grassy Key this week to conduct the next phase of its Gambian rat extermination project.
The agency's Wildlife Control team is back in town to determine how the population fared after more than 1,000 poison bait stations were spread throughout the area.
While wildlife officials are on the ground gathering data, hidden cameras will provide a look at where the remaining rat population is moving. The results from those pictures will help dictate the agency's next move.
"Based on what we take pictures of ... we may go into some small areas of resistance and set more poison bait stations," said Scott Hardin of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "We know there were some that were not killed by the initial baitings."
Hardin added that neighbors will be notified if more poison stations are placed in the area.
The USDA's team was expected to arrive in Grassy Key on Tuesday to further monitor the situation after two rounds of using poisoned bait stations over the past two years. Last month's round saw about 600 stations set throughout the area.
Grassy Key's rat problem has drawn attention on a state and national level. While the rats have not made a huge impact on the local vegetation, their ability to do damage in other parts of Florida is a concern. Officials worry that the rat, if allowed to expand onto the mainland, could wreak havoc on agricultural communities and the Florida Everglades.
Wildlife officials are unsure exactly how many of the raccoon-sized rats are on the island, but have been able to catch some live ones to send off for studies. Officials do know the rat has been able to adapt to life on Grassy Key, which included being able to live through the effects of Hurricane Wilma in 2005 as it blew away much of their food and freshwater supply.
A highly invasive species, the Gambian rat is native to Africa, but was believed to have been brought to Grassy Key by an exotic wildlife dealer several years ago. Although some have claimed to have seen the rat in other parts of the Florida Keys, there have been no confirmed reports of its existence in the wild in any other part of the country.
"We are 99 percent sure they are only on Grassy Key," Hardin said.
Seems that they are tasty as well:
The easiest way to prepare a Gambian rat is to put it into the fire whole, turning it to singe off the fur and whiskers.
The singed fur can be scraped off with a knife. Gut and wash the body. Cut off and discard the feet and tail. Cut the rat into chunks and soak in water for half an hour before cooking. The head is sometimes cooked whole, or crushed with stones to release juices to thicken soup. Add salt and seasoning.
Serves two to four.
Drats! I thought for sure this was an extermination program against the DemonRATs.
Immigrant rats. Infesting islands American rats don’t want to infest.
The “surge” is working! No wonder the ‘rats are protesting.
Darn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh! From the title, I thought they were exterminating DemocRATS! This would be a federal program I could get behind!! :)
I’m sitting here wondering why a couple of Jack Russell terriers couldn’t handle this problem.
whatever is not forbidden is mandatory. :)
Thank you. I was thinking of starting my diet today, and you’ve just made it easier by killing my appetite for the next week or so.
Thank you for the tip on preparation; however,
I won’t be ordering the Gambian Pouch Rat with Mango Salsa.
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