Ala. officials trying to get rid of giant snails

State and Nation

Brought to you by: Champion Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep

Discussion

October 2, 2009

Anonymous The News Courier Fri Oct 02, 2009, 09:57 AM CDT

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — Alabama officials concerned about the rapid migration of giant South American snails are about to try to halt their advance in Mobile County.

Ben Ricks, a biologist with the state Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries division, says a heavy dose of poison will be administered on Monday two ponds in Mobile’s Langan Park and in most of Three Mile Creek.

Authorities said they want to stop the advance of the apple snails before they colonize the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.

In addition to poisoning the thousands of fist-sized adult snails, officials say they plan to smash every one of the pink wads of snail eggs they can find, beginning Saturday.

Experts say the snails typically destroy all aquatic plants in areas they infest, leaving behind an algae-filled wasteland.

Text Only

State and Nation

Man in crane at Texas college says he's armed
Police say the man climbed the 150-foot crane late Monday morning.

May 28, 2012
Obama to honor fallen troops on Memorial Day
The president was to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, and then commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

May 28, 2012
Dragon arrives at space station in historic first
Astronauts Donald Pettit and Andre Kuipers used the space station's robot arm to snare the Dragon after a few hours of extra maneuvering.

May 25, 2012
U.S. forecasters: 9 to 15 storms in hurricane season
Though this season isn't expected to be as busy as last year's above-average season, federal officials warned coastal residents to start stocking up on hurricane supplies and forming evacuation plans anyway.

May 24, 2012
Alabama students below national average in reading
May 24, 2012
Alabama 10th highest in rate of injury deaths
May 24, 2012
Gen .Wheeler's Pond Spring home reopens Saturday
May 24, 2012
State memorial to War on Terror victims updated
May 24, 2012
Seafood industry fighting for life on coast
May 24, 2012
Military leaders, Clinton push for sea treaty
The United States is the only major nation that has refused to sign the treaty, which has been endorsed by 161 countries and the European Union.

May 23, 2012
More State and Nation Headlines