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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Archy on June 14, 2009, 07:10:26 AM

Title: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Archy on June 14, 2009, 07:10:26 AM
QuoteAlaska's Rat Island rodent-free after 229 years
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The rats appear to be gone from Alaska's Rat Island, more than 200 years after they scurried off a rodent-infested Japanese ship.

Helicopters dropped rat poison on the island last year in hopes of returning many bird species to the uninhabited island in the Aleutian Chain.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says two weeks of intensive monitoring shows no sign of invasive rats. It also shows that several bird species, including peregrine falcons and black oystercatchers, were nesting on the island.

Scientists did find numerous carcasses of two types of birds: glaucous-winged gulls and bald eagles. The federal agency is conducting tests to try to determine why they died.

A shipwreck in 1780 brought rats to the island located some 1,700 miles from Anchorage.

I suggest IFNARI The Island Formerly Known as Rat island.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on June 14, 2009, 08:23:07 AM
We could send the Gitmo prisoners there. :)
Name it "Freedom Island"
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: The Brain on June 14, 2009, 08:27:18 AM
I don't understand. Are they talking about Japs or about actual rats?
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Norgy on June 14, 2009, 08:39:34 AM
QuoteScientists did find numerous carcasses of two types of birds: glaucous-winged gulls and bald eagles.

I think Dead Gull Island could be a new name, but Where Eagles Shouldn't Dare is a better name.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Neil on June 14, 2009, 09:13:43 AM
Who really cares if some gulls and bald eagles died.  Those two species are the rats of the skies.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 10:10:14 AM
Indeed - there's no shortage of gulls and bald eagles up here.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2009, 11:47:15 AM
Could people possibly care about bald eagles because the official bird of the US?
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 12:00:49 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2009, 11:47:15 AM
Could people possibly care about bald eagles because the official bird of the US?

The Beaver is the official symbol of Canada.  Doesn't mean we don't trap em because they're also a huge pest.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Neil on June 14, 2009, 12:02:06 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2009, 11:47:15 AM
Could people possibly care about bald eagles because the official bird of the US?
It's a rather stupid bird.  I guess it suits America, doesn't it?
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2009, 12:04:20 PM
Better than the turkey.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Ed Anger on June 14, 2009, 02:42:13 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 12:00:49 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2009, 11:47:15 AM
Could people possibly care about bald eagles because the official bird of the US?

The Beaver is the official symbol of Canada.  Doesn't mean we don't trap em because they're also a huge pest.

<insert sex joke here>
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2009, 04:52:52 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 12:00:49 PM
The Beaver is the official symbol of Canada.  Doesn't mean we don't trap em because they're also a huge pest.

USA != Canada :o
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: HVC on June 14, 2009, 11:23:25 PM
Quote from: garbon on June 14, 2009, 04:52:52 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 12:00:49 PM
The Beaver is the official symbol of Canada.  Doesn't mean we don't trap em because they're also a huge pest.

USA != Canada :o
Except for Alaska. Those guys are just Canucks in denial.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: garbon on June 14, 2009, 11:25:07 PM
Quote from: HVC on June 14, 2009, 11:23:25 PM
Except for Alaska. Those guys are just Canucks in denial.

Deal. You can claim Palin and her brood. :hug:
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Palisadoes on June 15, 2009, 11:51:04 AM
Quote from: Neil on June 14, 2009, 09:13:43 AM
Who really cares if some gulls and bald eagles died.  Those two species are the rats of the skies.
Pidgeons are the real winged-rodents. See Trafalgar Square.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Eddie Teach on June 15, 2009, 01:02:02 PM
Quote from: HVC on June 14, 2009, 11:23:25 PM
Except for Alaska. Those guys are just Canucks in denial.

Some are Mexicans in denial.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: viper37 on June 15, 2009, 01:13:29 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 12:00:49 PM

The Beaver is the official symbol of Canada.  Doesn't mean we don't trap em because they're also a huge pest.
bald eagles are still considered an endangered specires.  Beavers are not.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:16:45 PM
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the birds probably died of rat poison. :P
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Lucidor on June 15, 2009, 01:19:43 PM
Quote from: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:16:45 PM
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the birds probably died of rat poison. :P
Or from eating it second hand, i.e. eating dead rats. (eagles)
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:23:22 PM
:yes: Excellent diagnosis, Dr. Lucidor. Are you taking new patients?
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:24:15 PM
They should have left the island and alone and moved those two crazy old ladies there.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Barrister on June 15, 2009, 01:28:24 PM
Quote from: viper37 on June 15, 2009, 01:13:29 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 14, 2009, 12:00:49 PM

The Beaver is the official symbol of Canada.  Doesn't mean we don't trap em because they're also a huge pest.
bald eagles are still considered an endangered specires.  Beavers are not.

They're not, actually.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070628101017.htm
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:29:34 PM
Question: If a particular group of human, lets say a certain native tribe, was down to a very limited number - should laws give them increased protection or penalties for harming or killing them like we do with animals? Why or why not?
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Lucidor on June 15, 2009, 01:31:21 PM
Quote from: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:23:22 PM
:yes: Excellent diagnosis, Dr. Lucidor. Are you taking new patients?
Have you eaten rat poison? As a matter of fact, I'm looking into specialising in family medicine.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Lucidor on June 15, 2009, 01:32:34 PM
Quote from: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:29:34 PM
Question: If a particular group of human, lets say a certain native tribe, was down to a very limited number - should laws give them increased protection or penalties for harming or killing them like we do with animals? Why or why not?
I believe most civilised countries have some penalties for murdering endangered humans, yes.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:32:58 PM
I've had this burning, itching sensation in my inner rectum and my ass is just raw. What can I do?
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Lucidor on June 15, 2009, 01:36:49 PM
 :o Got what I asked for...  :lol:
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Barrister on June 15, 2009, 01:37:43 PM
Quote from: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:32:58 PM
I've had this burning, itching sensation in my inner rectum and my ass is just raw. What can I do?

Take the gerbil out and see if things improve.
Title: Re: Alaska's Rat Island is in for name change
Post by: Lucidor on June 15, 2009, 01:39:40 PM
Quote from: Barrister on June 15, 2009, 01:37:43 PM
Quote from: Jaron on June 15, 2009, 01:32:58 PM
I've had this burning, itching sensation in my inner rectum and my ass is just raw. What can I do?

And if it won't come out, there is always the option to see if you can see it with the help of a lighter...
Take the gerbil out and see if things improve.

http://www.ajokes.com/jokes/6505.html