South Georgia Island near Antarctica is now teeming with native wildlife, thanks to an effort to remove invasive rats that had been devouring birds.
South Georgia, a remote island off the tip of Antarctica, is teeming with penguins, seals, rare birds and — for about 250 years — millions of rats.

But now, after the world’s largest rodent eradication project, the island is rat-free.

The decade-long project was led by the Scottish charity South Georgia Heritage Trust.

Over 10 years, members of “Team Rat” dropped rat poison from helicopters and used three rodent detection dogs to rid the British island of rats that had been devastating the wildlife.

Dickie Hall is the habitat restoration project director who spent the last six months searching the island for rodents. He spoke with As It Happens guest host Helen Mann about the project.

Here is part of that conversation.

Mr. Hall, you’ve been hard at work at this for a number of years now. How does it feel to have South Georgia island rat-free?

It feels absolutely fantastic. Somewhat unbelievable.

We always hoped for the best, but we have to prepare ourselves for the worst. But in the end, we did the survey and no rodents were found.

http://worldscape360.com/scientist-exterminate-5-million-rats-in-antarctic-island/

Wish i wasn't born in this asshole country that was ruled by packs of MUMUS

Ambode should just give this guys $100million for rat termination in Lagos too.

HORLADSTAR:
Wish i wasn't born in this asshole country that was ruled by packs of MUMUS

some of my friends are not planning to raise their kids in Nigeria.

Lolzz

If a fellow Nigerian youth can collect 30k, some even less to fight for politicians forget it.

Nigeria is lost

Some who used to speak up are now quite because somehow there are now in the corridors of power, collecting free money via their spouses, Uncles, friends, contracts etc.

Hence they have lost their voice

Some youths of today may end up being worst than the leaders of this day.

What will change Nigeria is the people speaking with one voice, void of bigotry and religious sentiments.

When we say let's protest, some people will collect money and fight those protesting.

No sane country will develop this way.

Even Zimbabwe and South Africa unseated their presidents by coming together to protest and speak against evil.

Is Nigeria the same?

No!

Some will form factions and collect money and blackmail others, send assassins to kill others.

No amount of prayers will save Nigeria, until we speak with one voice.

Even Ghana of yesterday have dusted us, some idiots are celebrating empty statistics

ideology:
Ambode should just give this guys $100million for rat termination in Lagos too.

Precisely! First time i saw a giant Agege rat i thought it was anu nchi (bush meat)! It was that huge!

Xander85:


Precisely! First time i saw a giant Agege rat i thought it wan anu nchi (bush meat)! It was that huge!

well he should increase the budget to $1Bn

Imagine if we could do this in our shithole continent. Terrible leadership is killing Africa. So we fit wipe out lassa fever just laidat

5 Million?!
That is so commendable!!

Only God knows how much I hate rats.
They can be so destructive and their guts is something else. The way rats would want to forcefully gain entrance and share apartment with you would get you wondering if these good for nothing animals contributed to your rent. Well, it they can chase a president out of his office, who I come be for my kekere rented 2 bedroom flat.
Nigerian government should not see this news oooo. Else, another reason to spend millions on helicopters would be discovered. I know APC government can order for another helicopter to chase the rats in Buhari's office.

ideology:
Ambode should just give this guys $100million for rat termination in Lagos too.

While more rats will migrate to Lagos from other parts of the Country.

flexyrule:
Good one

Yes good one

HORLADSTAR:
Wish i wasn't born in this asshole country that was ruled by packs of MUMUS

Try to move out.. I swear to God, Nigeria isn't a place develop a child..

Those of you condemning/bad mouthing Nigeria should just leave/relocate to a nearby country.


I love Nigeria.
I hαte our politicians.

i hate rats

This people and seriousness ehh!!

It marvels me how they tackle issues.

HORLADSTAR:
Wish i wasn't born in this asshole country that was ruled by packs of MUMUS

try to move out pls no noise

Bubu would have done this instead, but he chooses to run always from Aso rock. yeye man

We need your services in Aso Rock.

They call rodents rats. These guys eh. Those were 5 million rodent. What a wasted feast and dough!

Interestingly cruel. To what end? That island is their natural habitat . They have rights too. Later they will start claiming that the rats are going extinct.

who counted the rats ?

Scientists are working. My people are praying.
Eradication of rodents and pests is possible.
The UK is mosquito-free. Nigeria can be mosquito-free too if not for our useless politicians.

And Nigeria's Presidency is yet to respond to rats who chased the President from office.

Where are Nairaland animal activists when you need them?
So dem get mind kill bush meat for that island.
How will their next generation see rats apart from pictures and movies?
What a world!

Can this kai stuff happen in Nigeria?

The scientists have no moral justification to exterminate those rats since we are also an invasive specie... Where are the aliens when you need them
In other news, Today is my big sis birthday and I am so glad. Show her some love____

HORLADSTAR:
Wish i wasn't born in this asshole country that was ruled by packs of MUMUS

The rulers and the followers are jointly responsible for the poor state of affairs in Nigeria

HORLADSTAR:
Wish i wasn't born in this asshole country that was ruled by packs of MUMUS

Good morning,
While the country has challenges, you are either going to help improve the situation or you are going continue to worsen the challenges.

You had your wish for a country once, and if I follow your fairy tale perspective, you wished for Nigeria.

So
There's no way you are going to be talking about your lot in life as negative and you expect anything good from it. Your life would always reflect your expectations of whatever situation you are in.

Speak of the country, commend or chastise the people, but never downgrade the country because it's space and neutral.
Unlike you there are people making a success of themselves time after time after time, in this same Nigeria legitimately too. You know why? They understand that opportunities abound infinitely to be well and successful in this country and also they are proud of the country and speak well of the country, and consequently the country does well for them. It's not magic rather it's common sense.

Have a change of perspective on the country as see if your situation doesn't change.


God bless Nigeria.