We are fortunate to have a diversity of native animals in Banyule. This includes nocturnal birds, such as Tawny Frogmouths, Powerful Owls and Boobook Owls. These birds’ prey on small animals such as rats and mice which all too common in an urban environment. Many of us have dealt with rodents in our houses and and may have used off the shelf rodenticides. With that however comes unintended consequences. Recent discoveries in the Rosanna parklands have found previously healthy Tawny Frogmouths dead from confirmed cases of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGAR’s). Once rats and mice have consumed rodenticides containing SGAR’s animals that feed on them become sick and can die from secondary poisoning. SGAR’s are found in common off the shelf rodenticides and their use is having a direct impact on not only our birds of prey, but also reptiles and mammals.

If using baits - remember to read the ‘Active Constituents’ on the packaging and only use the less harmful products that contain First-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides FGAR’s (e.g. Warfarin or Coumatetralyl). Anything else, leave it on the shelf!

For more information please visit  BirdLife Australia - Rat Poison — Act for Birds

*This information was developed by Friends of Salt Creek and Associated Parklands to raise awareness of rat poison after finding several dead Tawny Frogmouths in the park.

Photo: Anthea Fleming