April 19, 2019 — At a recent meeting of the Mendocino Coast Audobon Society, bird lovers heard from Lisa Owens Viani, co-founder of Raptors Are The Solution (RATS), an organization that seeks to protect wildlife from poisons commonly used to control pests. Rodenticides have been found in the remains of rat-eating predators, pets that got into rat bait, and even waterways and the bodies of otters and fish.
After her presentation, which featured heart-rending images of stricken animals, we caught up with Owens Viani, to learn what’s being done to protect wildlife and pets from these pervasive poisons. In this interview, we’ll hear about humane traps, a lawsuit and potential legislation, and a scientific advance that could decrease the rat population.