Owls to fight pestilential rats<\/p>\n
CIREBON, West Java: Owls have been deployed to get rid of rats
\nwhich have infested 800 hectares of farmland near here. The head
\nof the Plantation Agency, Komar, said on Thursday that the 16
\nbarn owls (tyto alba) were ideal to kill the rats.<\/p>\n
Komar, as quoted by Antara in the Panguragan village in the
\nArjaniwangun district, said the pests this year were more severe
\ncompared to last year when only 147 hectares were affected.<\/p>\n
Komar said losses could reach up to Rp 1.5 million (US$135)
\nper hectare. The owls, which prey on at least four rats a day,
\nwill be distributed to farmers in three areas around the sugar
\nfactories of Tersana Baru, Karangsuwung, and Sindang Laut.<\/p>\n
Komar added farmers were hoping for funds to make owl shelters
\nwhich would each cost Rp 100,000. "I'll tell my superiors that
\nthis is the right time, as there is little rain, for (the owls)
\nto adapt to their environment," he said. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/owls-to-fight-pestilential-rats-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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