Monday, October 7, 2024 – Invasive small rodents make big trouble

Native America Calling

A possible rat sighting has the remote Pribilof Island of St. Paul in Alaska on high alert. Scientists are concerned an infestation of the invasive species could threaten nesting seabirds and other wildlife. They have reason to be concerned: rats from a Japanese shipwreck more than 200 years ago inundated a series of Alaska’s Aleutian islands, devastating the native species. And a part of Louisiana offers another cautionary tale about invasive rodents. Nutria were originally introduced to help the fur trade. Now the aquatic rodents destroy the vegetation that protects land and coastal marshes from erosion. We’ll look at how tribes are grappling with invasive rodents.

GUESTS

Karen Pletnikoff (Unangan), environment, and safety program administrator for Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Inc.

R.J. Molinere (United Houma Nation), alligator hunter, arm wrestling champion, and star on the History Channel reality series Swamp People

Dr. Lauren Divine, director for the Ecosystem Conservation Office for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island

James Karst, communications director for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

Break 1 Music: Tikitaummata (song) Susan Aglukark (artist) The Crossing (album)

Break 2 Music: Butterfly Wings (song) Midnight Sparrows (artist) Born in the City (album)