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Montecristo rat eradication could be blocked
02/02/2012
Plans to carry out an aerial pest control operation on the famed Italian island of Montecristo could be thwarted by environmentalists.
Authorities had been planning to drop around 26 tons of poison pellets on the island in a bid to tackle an infestation of black rats that is threatening the uninhabited nature reserve’s valuable bird wildlife.
Italy's Anti-Vivisection League, however, has lodged a formal objection with the Italian environment and agricultural ministries against the idea. The league’s president, Gianluca Felicetti, said that the plans were “absurd” and posed a real threat to the other indigenous wildlife on the island.
“Dropping 26 tons of poison out of an aircraft is an irresponsible action because it puts at risk all the fauna of the island,” he said, pointing out that the rat poison being used would also prove harmful to marine life such as fish and crabs.
The leagues claims have been contradicted by another environmental group, however. Legambiente has said that the system of pellet bombing has been used to great effect on other islands and in other regions of the world.
It is thought that the rats first came to the island via the boats that brings the 1,000 tourists who are allowed to visit the island every year.
