In Guam, the United States has revived a controversial control method involving the use of approximately 2,000 rats as bait to target the brown tree snake, a predatory species introduced to the island. This invasive reptile has severely impacted Guam's ecosystems, particularly threatening native bird populations and causing other disturbances, such as interference with electrical infrastructure due to their climbing habits. The method has reignited debates about the ethical implications of using one invasive species to combat another.

Guam is a politically unincorporated territory of the United States, with a unique status under international law as one of the non-self-governing territories recognized by the UN. The brown tree snake has become an entrenched problem for the island, as it has extended its reach and established a foothold where it preys on birds and small vertebrates. The ecological consequences of this invasion are evident in local extinctions, which pose significant threats to biodiversity and disrupt the ecological services that birds provide, such as pollination and seed dispersal.

The increasing presence of the brown tree snake represents not just ecological damage but a larger commentary on the challenges of managing invasive species. The reliance on one species as a control mechanism for another raises ethical questions about wildlife management and the long-term consequences of such interventions. Citizens and conservationists alike are divided on whether this method is a viable solution or if it simply introduces further complications into the already fragile ecosystem of Guam.