In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Loretta Mayer discuss the growing problem of urban rat populations, exacerbated by climate change and the ineffectiveness of traditional poisoning methods. Dr. Mayer discusses the non-lethal contraceptive method for rats and mice, developed from her research on reproductive physiology, and successful field tests that have shown significant reduction in rodent populations around the world. Finally, they discuss the non-profit Wisdom Good Works as well as Wisdom Good Bites and their aim to improve public health and environmental conditions by reducing rodent-borne diseases and improving rodent health.
Key Takeaways:
Rats are the most successful reproductive mammal on earth, with the ability of a single female to generate over 15,000 prodigy over her lifetime.
The rat contraceptive has a half-life of less than 15 minutes, meaning there is no possibility of transferring the contraceptive to a predator like a cat or a raptor.
Rats are smart, and they learn. If you're trying to feed them poison, they will learn, and they will avoid it.
"The literature is quite deep on these rodents. They love to be tickled. They have compassion for other rodents. They are very closely connected to their conspecifics." — Dr. Loretta Mayer
Episode References:
Another unwelcome consequence of climate change: An explosion of urban rats by Karen Kaplan - https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-01-31/climate-change-could-cause-an-explosion-of-urban-rats
Connect with Dr. Loretta Mayer:
Professional Bio: https://wisdomgoodworks.org/about-us/
Website: https://wisdomgoodworks.org/ & https://wisdomgoodbites.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loretta-mayer-b4025914/
Connect with Therese:
Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net
Threads: @critically_speaking
Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net
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