Japan Declares Mongoose Eradication on Amami Oshima After 45 Years

Photo: HT World

In 1979, Japan introduced 30 Indian mongooses to Amami Oshima to control venomous habu snakes. The mongooses multiplied rapidly, reaching an estimated 30,000 by 2000, and began threatening native species. After decades of eradication efforts involving traps, cameras, and detection dogs, Japan's Ministry of the Environment declared the species eradicated on September 3, 2024, following the last capture in 2018.

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