"I’m not saying rat contraceptives are going to be a magic wand," Councilmember Shaun Abreu said. "But we should see if they work." This statement highlights the experimental nature of the new pilot program, emphasizing the need for practical solutions to address the rat population in New York City, while also acknowledging that success isn't guaranteed.
The bill directs the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to establish two ten-block zones for deploying rat birth control pellets. Advocates believe this method is more humane than traditional extermination methods, especially after the recent death of the beloved Eurasian owl Flaco, which was found dead with rat poison in its system.
Michael H. Parsons, a rodentologist, noted that the success of the contraceptives is contingent on rat behavior—despite good intentions, if even one pair of rats continues to reproduce, it could undermine the entire effort. This illustrates the challenge of rat control in dense urban environments.
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