Japan eradicates invasive mongoose population 45 years after deliberate release

Japan has successfully eliminated its entire population of small Indian mongooses, completing a major wildlife eradication effort in 2024. The animals were originally introduced in 1979, when 30 mongooses were released to control snakes on the island. Instead of solving the snake problem, the population grew and became a serious threat to native wildlife on a UNESCO World Heritage site. Authorities carried out years of intensive trapping, tracking, and monitoring to achieve the total eradication. The program is now recognized as one of the largest mongoose eradication efforts ever completed globally.