Should We Kill One Species to Save Another?
From rats to cats and cane toads, invasive species can destroy ecosystems and make native wildlife go extinct. But can we justify killing them in return?
Is it fair to kill invasive species which humans have introduced? When people move around the world, many of their favourite – and not so favourite - animals tag along for the ride. From cane toads through to rats, cats and crayfish, so-called ‘invasive species’ can destroy ecosystems and kill off native wildlife. CrowdScience listener Jude Kirkham wants to know if eradicating these invaders is justified.
One country determined to do something about invasive species is New Zealand, where rats, stoats and possums are causing irreparable damage to the country’s unique bird life. If nothing is done, the iconic Kiwi could be extinct within 50 years. The government and volunteer groups across the country have responded with a plan to eradicate predatory mammals from New Zealand by 2050. But is all the time, energy and money needed to do this really justified? And is it morally right to kill off an animal species that humans introduced in the first place?
Do you have a question we can turn into a programme? Email us at crowdscience@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producer: Anna Lacey
(Image: Headshot of a Possum Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Clips
-
The fight to save the kiwi
Duration: 02:17
-
Why have 40% of New Zealand’s birds disappeared?
Duration: 01:50
Broadcasts
- Fri 22 Sep 2017 19:32GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service except News Internet
- Sat 23 Sep 2017 22:32GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sat 23 Sep 2017 23:32GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Mon 25 Sep 2017 02:32GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Mon 25 Sep 2017 04:32GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service except Americas and the Caribbean, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
- Mon 25 Sep 2017 06:32GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service East and Southern Africa
- Mon 25 Sep 2017 13:32GMT³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service Australasia
Podcast
-
CrowdScience
Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe