Pest poison in the suburbs ruffles feathers
Residents are concerned for the owl population after poison boxes were installed to deal with a rat problem at a local complex.
RESIDENTS at the St Michaels complex in New Germany are concerned for the well-being of a mating pair of spotted eagle owls after poison bait boxes were installed to combat a rat problem at a neighbouring complex.
Pam Davisworth, the chairman of the St Michaels Body Corporate, said she first became aware of the breeding pair in 2015 when Jama Mpume found their two chicks in a nest in a retaining wall.
“We watched these two chicks growing up over the following four weeks and that September, the Owl Box Project put identification rings on their legs,” said Davisworth.
An Owl Box was also installed in the complex’s grounds and the spotted eagle owls have bred a total of eight chicks since it was installed in 2016.
“My greatest concern is our neighbouring complex, St James had racumin poison bait boxes installed in their complex to combat a rat infestation. They have had a rat problem since early 2017,” said Davisworth.
Both complexes border the Alfred Park Conservancy and when poison boxes were installed early last year, Davisworth contacted the company with her concerns for the safety of the owls. The boxes were removed.
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“In February I was informed that St James signed an agreement with a pest control company to install racumin poison bait boxes,” said the concerned Davisworth.
Danelle Murray of the Owl Rescue Centre said that although racumin has a lower dosage of the poison when compared to other varieties, it is still deadly to owls.
“If you look at the nature of owls, which are territorial and could catch in the region of up to three rodents per evening, each of the rats they capture are likely to have consumed the poison.
“This is a slow and painful death, not just for the owls but for the rats as well. It thins out their blood and causes internal bleeding and ultimately death,” said Murray.
Murray also noted a variety of eco-friendly options available to help counter the rat infestation, including catch and release traps or planting spearmint around the affected area.
The chairman, Sheri James, of the neighbouring complex, St James, declined to comment on the issue.
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