CALIFORNIA – California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill expanding an existing regulation to prohibit the use of anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poisons) in an effort to protect wildlife throughout the state. Specifically, chlorophacinone and warfarin are both banned and considered restricted materials, unless suspended by the Director of Pesticide Regulation.
While rodenticides are intended to kill rats or other rodents, the substance can be passed on to unsuspecting mountain lions, birds, and other animals if they eat those initially affected. According to the LA Times, a study conducted in 2023 showed that around 90% of mountain lions and 88% of raptors tested had previously been exposed to the poisons.
“I’m so proud that California is leading the way in protecting wildlife from these harmful and unnecessary poisons. I think we can all agree that unintentionally poisoning native wildlife is wrong.” – J.P. Rose, urban wildlands policy director at the Center for Biological Diversity
The poisons banned in the bill act by preventing blood clotting, leading an animal to die from internal bleeding. While wildlife advocates are generally in support of the new law, agricultural and pest-control groups believe it might be a potential health hazard.
“Effective rodenticide products are necessary for protecting the health and safety of people, structures and businesses — including those responsible for food safety — from the diseases and property damage caused by rats and other harmful rodents.” – Megan J. Provost, President of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment
In 2022, female mountain lion P-54 was struck and killed by a vehicle while pregnant with a litter of four. After the animal’s death, both the female and the four fetuses tested positive for multiple anticoagulant rodenticides. This was the first time that mountain lion fetuses were able to be tested for the anticoagulant rodenticides during a 20-year study.
The new law is set to go into affect on January 1st, 2025.