Avoiding Unintended Consequences
A few weeks ago in this space, we talked about the unintended consequences that rat poison has on other species, specifically birds of prey. Once they consume rodents that have been exposed to the toxins, they too are poisoned.
We believe that fertility control is the answer, which is why we are traveling the world, testing and implementing our open-source, organic solution that disrupts fertility in both male and female rodents.
A reader responded to that e-newsletter with a very important question about the possible unintended consequences of our product, asking, “If the rats are chemically sterilized and are then eaten by their predators, will the predators also become sterile?”
It’s a great question, and I wanted to take a moment to address it here.
Our goal is to control overpopulation of rodents and restore ecological balance, primarily in places like islands, sensitive habitats, farms, and animal rescue facilities.
The pellets we have developed are plant-based and act as a food supplement for animals. They do not kill or harm the mice or rats that consume them.
Instead, the active ingredient targets their reproductive organs and renders them inactive, blocking ovulation in females and disrupting spermatogenesis in the males. The rodents aren’t sterilized, as the infertility only lasts while we provide the pellets and is reversible once the mice or rats stop consuming it.
This active ingredient, an extract of a “Thunder God” vine, clears the animal’s liver in less than 20 minutes. Most importantly, the dose is highly calibrated and engineered for small rodents and would not impact larger predators.
We are so grateful for inquiries about our work to address overpopulation through fertility-control technology instead of poison. Please reach out to us any time you have a question, as education is key to the furtherance of our work.
Update: AB1322 Advances in California Legislature
Late last month, the California Assembly voted 57-12 to approve AB1322, which would expand an existing moratorium on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to now include a first-generation anticoagulant rodenticide, diphacinone.
Assembly Bill 1322, the California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2023, is sponsored by the Center for Biological Diversity and Raptors Are The Solution, championed by California Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and now faces Senate review.
If signed into law, this measure will help protect people, pets and wildlife from this dangerous poison.
WISDOM Good Works was one of 73 conservation and animal welfare groups supporting this bill, along with Peta, the Humane Society of the United States, the Conservation Society of California, and dozens of other local, state, national and international groups
