BBC News: Killing rats could save coral reefs

[Chris_Nicol]

Just read this. Thoughts?

Killing rats could save coral reefs - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44799420

 

[Autumnsky]

Personally I don't care for rats. Have heard domesticated ones can have nice personalities, but what kind of damage I have seen them do to a home and to humans, I don't like them.

That said. It seems they, as part of the food chain will help clean up the sick, dead and dying and weak birds (although I realize eggs as well).

Won't mass amounts of bird poop just cause ammonia and nitrates, too much algae, mess up tide pool areas, etc? I would think that, but the report doesn't seem to indicate it as a concern. Maybe it proves rats are worse than _____ (lots of stuff) ?!?!

 

[Toad]

It seems like the problem is the fact that they're an invasive opportunist predator more that they're just being rats. I know cats are a huge issue in Australia, especially with reptiles, and coral reefs are dealing with bleaching and sunscreen usage killing them too. Big reason not to let non-native animals loose for sure.