the stupendious scientists... cough cough

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/science/17isla.html?ref=science

So, a group of scientists decide to take the natural order into their own hands, and venture off to the (previously)beautiful Macquarie Island — halfway between Australia and Antarctica.

It all started in 1985 when the Australian scientists decided that the cats living on this island were not native, and that meant that they obviously should, after have been living there since the 19th century, not be there anymore. The cats are eating a specific species of bird that appear to be scarce, so the “logical” thing to do is wipe out the cats. (?!@%!?) Now with the cats gone, the islands ecosystem is wreaking havoc.

Among one of many issues, with the “non-native” cats gone, the island’s rabbits (also non-native) are breeding out of control.

One of the scientist’s responses: “Our findings show that it’s important for scientists to study the whole ecosystem before doing eradication programs.”
My thought: “Wow… did it take your enormous education to come to that conclusion kind sir?”