General News
13 March, 2026
Rat poisoning
Birdlife Australia has reported an owl poisoning in a Gippsland district in recent times.
The problem turned out to be a rat killer poison that had been put out as a bait for rats.
This was eaten by the rats but it did not kill them straight away.
The rats staggered away and died a distance away, the owls came onto the scene and ate enough of the rat to consume some poison and become victims of secondary poisoning.
This is not a new problem nor is it the first time that off target wildlife species have been caught up in accidental deaths.
It does say to me that we all need to be ultra careful in using powerful poisons.
The labels outline how the bag, box or package must be followed faithfully and to use protective clothing.
The poisons have no voice to warn users of the risk to wildlife or children who come across these colorful packages.
There are so many types of chemicals on the market with varying degrees of toxicity and impact on human health.
Let alone what these poisons are doing to our valuable soils.
Secondary poisoning often happens by accident or even deliberately which is quite shameful but it is a reason why some districts are devoid of owls, magpies and kookaburras not intended as the target species but they have come into contact with toxic poisons through their prey.
Mouse baiting is another concern and harvest wild birds off the face of the paddock with no regard for off target species.
Mice are a serious concern in many districts and can cause incalculable damage to growing crops ready to harvest.
Farm hygiene is crucial to reduce the impact of such pests.
Mouse plagues are the cause for serious farm losses and heaped grain laying bare in paddocks is a potential attractant to mice.
I have even seen brolgas impacted by poisons and these are birds that eat mice and so help the farms eradicate a pest problem.
Manufacturers play a role here too.
The labels on poisons need to be accurate, achievable and legal and the directions on those labels must be followed by the user.
I hear a lot about making sure our metropolitan friends support farmers but this is hard to justify when poisoning takes place.