Despite the risks, however, the plan to “bomb” the island with dead rodents has caused a stir among animal rights activists. It has drawn condemnation from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which would prefer the snakes to be captured and humanely euthanized.

“Brown tree snakes did not ask to be stowaways on planes or ships and then forced to survive on a foreign island,” Martin Mersereau, director of PETA’s cruelty investigations, said in February.

“Although the snakes are considered invasive, no animal should be forced to endure cruel death,” he added.