Mountain Lions dying from Rat Poisons

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-two-more-mountain-lions-die-of-rodenticide-poisoning-as-bill-aimed-at-banning-use-of-certain-rat-poison-in-ca-sits-in-the-senate-appropriations-committee/

2 more mountain lions in California have been found dead suffering from similar poisonings as a bill to ban certain poisons sits in waiting. These most recent mountain lions deaths will bring the total to six who've died under similar circumstances involving varying forms of rat poisons.

These poisons, known as anticoagulant rodenticide poisons, are responsible for several wildlife deaths that are considered non target animals. Unfortunately, the problem with these poisons and really any kind of poison is that they are non-discriminatory in their targets. MOuntain lions for example, could come into direct contact with the poison, through eating an animal that came into contact with them like rats or squirrels, or through eating an animal that already consumed an animal full of the poison, like a coyote. The fact is, these rodenticides are not safe and are clearly ineffective in dealing with rodent problems specifically as they should be doing.

As mentioned, these poisons have long been considered cruel and environmentally unfriendly. Not only are the poisoning deaths often drawn out, they also affect other wildlife in the area as well. Animals like mountain lions, wolves, and foxes, can all inadvertently ingest these poisons and suffer tremendously leading to the possibility of death. Without natural carnivores, target animals like rats, mice, and other perceived pests, will begin to overpopulate along with other herbivores like deer leading to increased damage of the ecosystem. This trickling effect will lead to further money and efforts in curbing pest animals / herbivores causing continued human interference.

Image taken from World Animal News courtesy of the National Park Service.

These poisons have no place in our ecosystems and without banning them, we will see continued unintended animal deaths that are completely preventable. These options are often cheaper than the alternatives and certainly do the intended job of killing, it's just the unintended victims that go along with these deaths that make these rodenticides unsafe and unnecessary. 

It's time for a ban on rodenticides!

HAPPY VEG