Help protect our wildlife: Submit an electronic letter TODAY to Gavin Newsom to supporting the bill (AB 1788) regarding second generation anticoagulant rodenticides… A sample letter from
Center for Biological Diversity
is in the first comment below.
Get your letters in today urging him to sign AB 1788. Go to: https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/
1. Click Have a Comment
2. Fill in the form
3. Select AB01788
4. Click Next
5. Select “Pro”
6. Copy and paste the comments below (and or write your own comments)
7. Send Message
I urge you to sign into law the California Ecosystems Protection Act (A.B. 1788) to place a moratorium on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) in California, except in limited cases such as public health or ecosystem emergencies, to protect the state’s wildlife from imminent harm.
More than 85% of California mountain lions, bobcats, and Pacific fishers have been exposed to rodenticides. Mountain lions are in particularly grave danger: Several cats from isolated Southern California populations close to local extinction recently were found dead with multiple SGARs in their bloodstreams. Immediate action by the state is needed to prevent these mountain-lion populations from going extinct.
Over 25 other wildlife species are also being poisoned by these super-toxic rat poisons, including imperiled Humboldt martens, San Joaquin kit foxes, Pacific fishers, and spotted owls.
In 2014 the damage being done to wildlife led California to pull SGARs from consumer shelves. But there’s been no decrease in the rate of wildlife poisoning from these products because licensed pest-control applicators continue to use these super-toxic rat poisons. It’s become clear that stronger prohibitions are necessary.
There’s a wide range of safer, cost-effective alternatives on the shelves today. Strategies that prevent rodent infestations in the first place, by sealing buildings and eliminating food and water sources, are a necessary first step. Then, if need be, lethal strategies can be used that involve snap traps, electric traps and other nontoxic methods.
California’s wildlife can’t wait any longer. Please sign A.B. 1788.