Recently, the Grand Canyon National Park officials have been reminding visitors that the use of rodent poison is illegal after the discovery of a deceased bobcat in the park.

On Tuesday, the National Park Service reported that a bobcat found in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim had passed away due to an excessive amount of rodenticide in its system.

In recent years, a variety of animals such as condors, coyotes, foxes, mule deer, and chipmunks have been killed by rodent poison, even if they did not ingest the lethal chemicals.

At Grand Canyon National Park, why is the use of rodenticides prohibited?

Park officials have indicated that the use of poison to eradicate rodents may have unintended negative repercussions. It could lead to contamination of the ecosystem and put other species that feed on the poisoned rodents at risk. Harm to both humans, especially kids, and animals is a possible consequence.

At the Grand Canyon, the use of rodent poison is only allowed in certain, specified circumstances when it is necessary to stop the spread of disease.