If you live in or have ever visited Colorado, you already know that the Centennial State is teeming with various kinds of wildlife, which is one of the many perks of being here. Sadly, however, some of our most beloved wildlife are facing slow and painful deaths that are said to be caused by poisonous rodents.

One of Colorado's most popular species of wildlife is birds, with more than 400 different kinds - varying from giant birds of prey to tiny hummingbirds - calling the Centennial State their home. 
Flickr/Fyn Kynd
Sadly, many of these birds, especially those who rely on a diet of rodents and other small animals, have been suffering death by poison, which is the result of the birds eating rats and mice who have recently consumed rodenticide and are slower and easier to catch.
Flickr/Marie Hale
Symptoms of rodent-poisoning include lethargy, a change in color, and internal bleeding that can seep out under the birds' feathers. 
Flickr/Scott Butner

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Since symptoms of rodent-poisoning can take quite some time to appear, it is nearly impossible to treat, as stomach bleeding and the shut-down of organs can begin before any other signs of trouble appear. 
Flickr/Susan Sermoneta
In addition to hurting Colorado's birds, these poisonous rodents are said to be harmful to domestic animals (namely dogs and cats), as well as coyotes, mountain lions, bald eagles, and deer. 
Flickr/A_Peach
How can we, as Coloradans, combat this problem? Instead of using common rodenticides to eradicate pests, it is highly recommended that people use snap traps, which are just as useful and less harmful to other animals. 
Flickr/James Lee

Were you aware of this issue? Have you or someone you know lost a pet due to poisonous rodents? Please sound off in the comments. For even more poisonous pests looming about the Centennial State, check out A Parasitic Bug Has Been Spotted Throughout Colorado And Its Bite Can Be Deadly.

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