Helicopters to drop poison on California’s Farallon Islands amid ‘plague’ of mice

Wildlife officials and ecologists say urgent and drastic measures are needed to eradicate mice, a threat to island's endemic species

A plan to eradicate a plague-level infestation" of invasive mice on California's Farallon Islands by dropping poisoned bait from helicopters has been approved by state officials.

After hours of impassioned debate, coastal commissioners voted 5-3 in favor of the long-controversial plan put forth by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The approval comes despite the objections of local environmental activists who fear that rodenticide will kill not only the invasive mice, but also gulls and burrowing owls.