ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

1. Wouldn't such a large number of dead goats pose a health problem?

As the goats are widely dispersed, there is no concentration of carcasses in any particular area. Decomposition takes place very quickly (within 7 days under the tropical sun and heat) and various native beetles and flies are quick to ensure that little of the goat remains. The goats are in fact a source of nutrients in a nutrient poor environment. Their decomposition returns the valuable nutrients they have taken up during their intensive browsing. Given these circumstances, and also given that no humans live in the area where hunting will take place, there is no threat to human or animal health.

2. Don't all the dead goats attract rats?

No, rats are not particularly attracted to decomposing carcasses, preferring the vegetation and seeds as a source of food.

3. Do all the spent bullets cause a pollution problem?

Not at all. We most often hear about lead shot from shotgun shells falling into marshes and then being accidentally eaten by ducks, who then die of lead poisoning. The Isabela Project will work predominantly with rifles, which do not use lead shot.

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