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. 

Community Groups and volunteers are integral to our region. Thanks to the AMR Shire, RMR101.9 is helping to connect Community Group activities with the local community.

The Local Loop will be both on-air announcements informing people of up-coming activities being organised by Community Groups, and an easy-to-access calendar on the RMR101.9 website. However, to make it work, we need your help populating both. The more Community Groups that take part in this – sharing what, when and where their events, classes, get-togethers and training sessions are – the richer our community will be. 

If you are a member of a Community Group within the Cape to Cape Wadandi Boodja Region, please get in touch via website@radiomargaretriver.com 

At 9am on Friday 29th of August, Adam Levi was “stoked” to learn he was the winner of the Specialized Tero 3.0 electric mountain bike. “I’m absolutely stoked; I was frothing when I heard I’d won!” said Adam.  His reaction to the early morning phone call and exuberance to come collect the bike from station sponsor Life Cycle Bikes was brilliant.  Congratulations, Adam, I hope your new bike brings you years of joy… and takes you to some magical places that make you froth some more!

Adam won the bike for becoming a subscriber of Margaret River’s first Community Radio Station.  His support for the volunteer run non-profit station has been rewarded and RMR101.9 has another prize ready to give away to a subscriber.

Thanks to ARTS Margaret River we have secured a years’ worth of free tickets to movies, concerts and events! Stay tuned for more details but don’t wait, become a subscriber and show your love.  Every subscriber goes in the running to win.  It doesn’t matter when you join.