California has passed a new law banning diphacinone, a type of rat poison, to protect mountain lions, coyotes, and other animals in urban areas.
According to the LA Times, the poison can have a negative impact on animals that consume smaller animals that have ingested the poison.
The new legislation, effective from January 1, 2024, expands on a similar bill passed in 2020 that prohibited second-generation rodenticides.
Rat poison suppresses the immune system and can cause a general population decline. Advocates have praised the decision but suggest alternative solutions like trash control and building sealing to prevent rodent infestations.