There’s been a lot of media attention following a long-awaited review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) on rodent poisons, with wildlife advocates saying the agency has ignored evidence-based research into the poisons’ harm on birds and wildlife.
The APVMA released its risk assessment of SGARs last December, with a recommendation they remain on sale with additional controls, such as pack size restrictions, proximity-to-building rules and revised labelling.
Rodents that ingest SGAR bait frequently survive for several days. They move away from the bait source and become lethargic, making them easy prey for predators, such as our birds of prey. It is impossible to ensure every poisoned rodent is removed from the ecosystem and documented evidence has proven that wildlife exposure occurs even when products are used in compliance with label instructions.
A lethal or near-lethal dose can occur after eating as few as one to three poisoned mice. Birds such as the Barn Owl, which eats an average of three mice a night, are regularly admitted to the Capes Raptor Centre in critical condition from digesting poisoned rodents. Despite intensive veterinary treatment, survival rates are low.
Then we had some good news. On March 10, the APVMA announced these second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) would be declared restricted chemical products and the registration of all products containing SGARs would be suspended for one year from 24 March, 2026.
This is an important step but it’s not a full ban on the products so we have decided to air this podcast as it was recorded to give a full account of the impact these products have on our birds and wildlife and explain why they should be banned in Australia.
Listen to Capes Conversations Safeguarding our Raptors episode. For recommendations of safer alternative rodent poisons, visit the Capes Foundation website.