New Zealand sets sights on a rat-free countryside

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND— Their abilities to travel, multiply and spread disease have always made rats one of mankind’s greatest pests.

New Zealand says it’s time to wipe them out. Every last one of them.

Prime Minister John Key on Monday announced an ambitious plan to completely rid the South Pacific nation of rats and some other nuisance animals, including possums and stoats, by the year 2050.

The government is hoping a ratfree countryside will give a boost to native birds, including the iconic kiwi. Many bird species are threatened with extinction because rats and other pests feast on their eggs and compete with them for food.

New Zealand is hoping to build on its success in eradicating rats from several of its smaller islands.

However, some scientists caution the goal, while laudable, will be extremely difficult to achieve in a nation that’s similar in size to the United Kingdom.

Speaking from a wildlife sanctuary in Wellington, Key said the goal would require the help of everyone from philanthropists to indigenous Maori tribes.

He said the government would initially contribute about $20 million (U.S) over four years toward setting up a company to run the program, and would consider partially matching money contributed by local councils and businesses. Key acknowledged the goal would only be achieved with scientific advances.

New Zealand’s Department of Conservation has eradicated rats from several small islands using traps, poisons and baits.

It has also intensively managed some areas on the main islands to make them safer for native birds. But it would require a massive escalation of those efforts to completely wipe out the pests.