China is attempting to curb its destructive gerbil population by spreading contraceptive-laced bait across the northern Gurbantunggut Desert. State news agency Xinhua says the gerbils “pose a major threat to agriculture and horticulture” through their burrowing.

“Besides pregnancy prevention, the drug can induce abortions, and thus largely reduce their breeding rate,” says Du Yuefei, chief of the epidemic prevention section of the Changji City forestry department. “It’s a good way to tackle the desert rat plague.”

Although Xinhua says the drugs have little impact on other animals, the Guardian has spoken to some conservationists who question this.

“That the pellets have ‘little effect’ is highly debatable,” one anonymous source told the paper. “All drugs have an effect when put into a system, on other rodents, on birds of prey that eat the rodents and so forth.”

Other coverage

China fights gerbil plague with ‘the pill’ – AFP

Chinese use pills to curb gerbils – BBC

China uses abortion pill to cut gerbil population – AP