Episode Details

In this eye-opening episode, conservation scientist Dr. Bec Gooley challenges our perceptions of one of the most maligned animals – rats. From debunking disease myths to exposing the devastating environmental impact of rodenticides, Dr. Gooley shares groundbreaking research about how rat poisons are affecting entire ecosystems. As both a scientist and policy advocate, she discusses California’s landmark legislation restricting anticoagulant rodenticides and explores compassionate alternatives for human-wildlife coexistence.

This episode explores:

• The truth about rats’ intelligence, social behavior, and role in ecosystems

• How rodenticides impact wildlife, with over 90% of mountain lions testing positive for rat poison

• California’s groundbreaking legislation restricting anticoagulant rodenticides

• Science-based, humane alternatives to lethal rat control

• The One Health approach to human-wildlife conflict resolution

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Bec Gooley is a conservation scientist specializing in wildlife disease ecology and environmental toxicology, with groundbreaking work on rodenticide impacts on ecosystems. After completing her Ph.D. at the University of Sydney and postdoctoral research at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, she now serves as a David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellow at UC Davis. Her research on rat poison’s devastating effects on wildlife led to landmark legislation prohibiting anticoagulant rodenticides in California. Combining scientific expertise with advocacy, she champions compassionate coexistence strategies and develops innovative solutions for human-wildlife conflict, particularly focusing on ethical approaches to rodent populations.

•  Contact her at rebecca.m.gooley@gmail.com

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