The rodent overpopulation on the Galapagos is threatening the very survival of endemic species, like the Pink Land Iguana and Galapagos Penguins, whose eggs and hatchlings are eaten by the rats. The rodents also threaten other animals and plants, including lava gulls, the palo santo tree and Opuntia cactuses.

Rats are also imperiling the livelihood and food source of the local population. Cargo ships do not always carry sufficient produce to the islands, meaning galapagueños are dependent on crops grown on the islands. Rodents are currently destroying this life-line and the farmers only resource to combat it is using poison.

There are obvious reasons why using poisons is not the optimal solution for this ecologically sensitive area. The endless corpses of rodents to be removed; the possible inadvertent impact on already endangered species; the danger of children or domestic animals being poisoned; and contamination of land and water.