Swamp Rat Conservation
SWAMP RATS
Did you know that Australia has a large variety of native rodents and that multiple of these species are found within Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve? The Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus) is commonly found scurrying across the bay trail, trying not to get trampled by oncoming foot and bike traffic! Unfortunately for the native Swamp Rat, they are commonly misidentified as the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) or the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) which are not native to Australia. Bush and Swamp Rats play an important role in the ecosystem and are even preyed upon by native birds such as the endangered Powerful Owl!
Unfortunately, what this means for the Swamp Rat is they often become the unintended targets of poisonous baits such as Ratsak. When this occurs the poison itself becomes part of the food chain, being consumed by the predator as it consumes its prey. For example, the Powerful Owl hunting a Swamp, Black or Brown Rat, which then results in the death of the already endangered Powerful Owl.
To avoid such instances we would like to remind campers and boatshed owners that the use of pesticides within the Whitecliffs Foreshore Reserve is strictly forbidden. We would also like to extend this explanation to surrounding land owners and encourage all to reconsider their rodent control methods.
