They released just 30 predators onto the island, then the snakes started vanishing. Wildlife teams had spent years battling an invasive serpent plague that was devastating native birds, so the plan seemed bold but logical.
In 1979, Japan released approximately 30 small carnivores on a remote island with the intention of controlling a venomous snake population. The animals were mongooses, known for their speed and partial resistance to snake venom. The plan appeared to work initially, as snakebite rates declined in the years that followed. However, the mongooses were not responsible for the reduction.The island in qu…