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Opposition strong to rodenticide on Cocos Island
Heated debate continued this morning at the Guam Legislature on a measure that would prevent the use of pesticides on Cocos Island. The Department of Agriculture is proposing to eliminate the invasive and non-indigenous rodent population on Cocos in order to prepare the island for the release of the endangered Guam Rail. Opponents have several concerns, namely that the entire island will be turned into a public national wildlife refuge, that monitor lizards present will be killed by rodenticides, and that the chemicals will be dangerous to humans and other animals.
Diane Vice of the Department of Agriculture says residents need not be concerned, telling KUAM News, "There will be no increased restrictions on visitations to Cocos Island or fishing or anything like that and on the contrary we think there will be more visitors to Cocos Island; we want them to see the Koko bird."
Vice adds the rodenticides are biodegradable and monitor lizards would be moved off Cocos Island.
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