Here’s something I never thought I’d say: we should really start following New Zealand’s lead.
You know, I’ve read studies (or articles or Tweets, I don’t really know) that say there are more rats in New York City than there are people, which is horrifying, considering there are about 10 million people in New York.
But they live underground and mostly stay out of the way, so we largely ignore it. Well, we don’t ignore it, but we certainly haven’t launched anyway widespread plans to genocide the motherf*ckers either.
Well, apparently New Zealand has. In fact, their plan to eliminate all of the country’s rats is so ambitious, it’s being compared to putting a man on the moon (which is like the most New Zealand thing I’ve ever heard).
Via Daily Mail:
Scientists are talking about the mission in military terms: choking off pests on peninsulas and then advancing the front lines from there; developing new traps and genetic weapons; winning the hearts and minds of children and farmers alike. Momentum began growing five years ago when the nation’s leading scientist, Sir Paul Callaghan, delivered an impassioned speech.
When it comes to heritage, he said, England has its Stonehenge, China its Great Wall, France its Lascaux cave paintings. What makes New Zealand unique, he asked? Its birds. Callaghan was suffering from advanced cancer and could barely stand.
But for over an hour he outlined his predator-free vision, saying how growing up he was inspired by efforts to reach the moon and how saving the birds could become New Zealand’s own Apollo program. He died a month later, but the vision grew.
Nine months ago, it became official government policy. Then-Prime Minister John Key announced a goal to wipe out the nuisance animals by 2050, calling it the ‘most ambitious conservation project attempted anywhere in the world.’
The goal has been embraced by many, although even its strongest supporters say it will require scientific breakthroughs. Some critics argue the plan should also have targeted feral cats or worry mice numbers might explode if rats disappear. Others say the effort is underfunded and overly ambitious.
So there you have it: New Zealand has decreed it has had ENOUGH with the rats and they are going to slaughter them all.
You go New Zealand.
