TCAS Contributes to Pilot Program to Replace Rodenticide
One of the Lincoln Park adults and the owlet that died from rat poison in Spring 2024.
Photos: Pat Andersen - March 17, 2024
Thorn Creek Audubon is pleased to announce we have contributed $1500 on behalf of chapter members to a pilot study on using rat birth control pellets to replace rodenticide.
Chicago Bird Alliance has teamed with the City of Chicago and the Lincoln Park Zoo to put together a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of a new rat contraceptive as rodent control. The trial is set to take place in Lincoln Park, where the widely publicized deaths of a Great Horned Owl family occurred last spring. The owl family was easy to view and attracted birders from throughout the Chicago area. They were found dead on the ground weeks apart. Testing confirmed the owls died from rat poison.
The birth control approach could replace the widespread use of rodenticides, which has not been effective in controlling the urban rat population. These poisons unintentionally affect the entire food web, becoming concentrated in the predators such as urban raptors that consume poisoned rats or other animals. The result is numerous, unnecessary raptor deaths.
The study coalition is raising funds to produce the pilot study. This is in addition to Lincoln Park Zoo contributing cameras and staff time and Wisdom Good Works (who makes the contraceptive) contributing feeding stations.
If the results are encouraging, this program will likely be replicated in other Chicago neighborhoods and expand to other communities.
"Thorn Creek Audubon is delighted to help fund this pilot program," said TCAS President Diane Hicks. "There is rarely an opportunity in our local area to directly impact a reduction in bird deaths from municipal practices."
June 13, 2025