Remarks on Saving Species Misleading, Show Ignorance of Systems of Nature

I cannot help but respond to Barbara McCarthy’s letter, “Some Species Should Not Be Saved” (July 7). While, as a biologist, I may agree that some non-native, introduced species should not be saved, the misinformation contained and implied in this short letter can only be damaging to the principles of sound environmental management and to the editorial integrity of the Los Angeles Times.

Ms. McCarthy has confused native kangaroo rats with non-native European rats. Kangaroo rats are inhabitants of semi-arid and arid undeveloped habitats in California, and one in particular, Dipodomys stephensi, is truly endangered (and federally listed).

They are shy, seed-eating creatures that spend the day underground in burrows and the night on the surface foraging; they certainly do not climb into palm trees. On the other hand, European rats (the Norway rat and the black rat) are unwanted introductions that commonly inhabit and infest urban areas and are excellent tree-climbers.

RICHARD E. MacMILLEN, South Laguna