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How Alberta Eradicated Rats

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Re: How Alberta Eradicated Rats

#61

Post by mekdoonggi »

bragr wrote: post #60
OptionOfT wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This inevitably brings us to the story of the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone, and how they eat the deer which brings back a whole new slew of changes.

Not to be downer, but recent studies have not corroborated those effects. >One of the most celebrated claims about Yellowstone’s wolves is facing a major challenge. Scientists say the study behind the famous trophic cascade story relied on flawed methods that overstated the ecological impact of wolf recovery. Their reanalysis found no evidence for a dramatic, park-wide surge in willow growth. Instead, the effects app…

Is there a word for a popular misconception that nonetheless produces a positive result? The understanding by the public of the effects could be completely wrong, but the reintroduction of wolves and the restoration of Yellowstone are still good things.

Re: How Alberta Eradicated Rats

#62

Post by mekdoonggi »

cmrdporcupine wrote: post #50
mekdoonggi wrote: post #24

I wonder if we stopped trying to eradicate coyotes we might have an easier time with rats. I personally would rather see a coyote than a rat.

Coyote populations are climbing, not shrinking.

I know, which makes our attempts at killing them even dumber.

Re: How Alberta Eradicated Rats

#63

Post by cmrdporcupine »

mekdoonggi wrote: post #62
cmrdporcupine wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Coyote populations are climbing, not shrinking.

I know, which makes our attempts at killing them even dumber.

The problem is they've grown accustomed to urban environments, are way more fearless than they used to be.

I live rural (Ontario) and we hear but never see them. But if you go into town, they're a frequent occurrence. Grabbing people's pets and stuff.

If it was just foxes... fine. But coyotes can be a problem.

Re: How Alberta Eradicated Rats

#64

Post by WalterBright »

mekdoonggi wrote: post #24

I wonder if we stopped trying to eradicate coyotes we might have an easier time with rats. I personally would rather see a coyote than a rat.

Around here the coyotes eat mice. I'll see a golf ball size blob of crushed bones and fur on the driveway now and then.

A few years ago, a coyote mom with her 5 pups set up shop on my front lawn. She'd keep a weather eye on me, and me on her, and we got along fine. Over the summer, the number of pups dwindled. I saw a severed head of one a ways away, I think it was done by an eagle. I think only 2 survived the summer.

I sometimes see 6 eagles at a time circling overhead. One flew by so close I could have touched its wingtip. Wow!

A bobcat lives nearby. I see his tracks in the snow, and saw him a couple times.

I live well within the Seattle metropolitan area. Isn't it amazing?

Re: How Alberta Eradicated Rats

#65

Post by WalterBright »

cmrdporcupine wrote: post #63
mekdoonggi wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know, which makes our attempts at killing them even dumber.

The problem is they've grown accustomed to urban environments, are way more fearless than they used to be. I live rural (Ontario) and we hear but never see them. But if you go into town, they're a frequent occurrence. Grabbing people's pets and stuff. If it was just foxes... fine. But coyotes can be a problem.

Once an owl sat on the porch railing, looking into the window. It was huge! What a magnificent sight.

Re: How Alberta Eradicated Rats

#66

Post by WalterBright »

skeeter2020 wrote: post #11
Hugsbox wrote: post #3

Every so often I'll mention online that Alberta has no rats, and inevitably there will be an American responding in absolute disbelief saying I'm full of shit. I may not live in Alberta, but luckily rats aren't really a thing in my neck of the woods. Travel an hour down the highway and it's a different story. Also, as an aside, people often don't believe me when I say I've never seen a cockroach before in my life. No…

"Alberta has no rats" is a bit of a simplification, as the linked article goes into in depth. They do find rat investations (typically) in the border zones, and some sneak through, both wild and domesticated. Due to ongoing management though the statement is true in broad strokes. We have lots of mice and all sorts of ground squirrels (including a ridiculously awesome "museum") but thankfully very few rats. https://w…

The exterminator told me you either have rats or mice. That's 'cuz the rats are good at eating the mice.
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