Impact of DDT on Borneo's Ecosystem

In the 1950s, the Dak people of Borneo faced a malaria outbreak. The WHO used DDT to control mosquitoes, but this led to ecological issues: roofs collapsed due to caterpillars, geckos accumulated DDT, and cats died, causing a rat infestation. The WHO resolved this by parachuting cats into Borneo, stabilizing the situation.

What was the initial problem faced by the Dak people of Borneo in the 1950s?

• A plague outbreak

• A malaria outbreak

• A food shortage

• A rat infestation

What was the World Health Organization's initial solution to the malaria problem?

• Providing medical supplies

• Spraying DDT

• Introducing natural predators

• Building new houses

What was one of the first unintended consequences of using DDT on the island?

• Loss of crops

• Increase in mosquito population

• Spread of a new disease

• Collapse of house roofs

Which insect's population increased due to the use of DDT?

• Parasitic wasps

• Geckos

• Thatch-eating caterpillars

• Mosquitoes

How did DDT affect the geckos on the island?

• It made them reproduce faster

• It caused them to migrate

• It accumulated in their bodies

• It made them immune to predators

What happened to the island's cats after they consumed geckos?

• They migrated to other areas

• They stopped hunting

• They died from DDT poisoning

• They became more aggressive

What was the consequence of the cats' disappearance on the island?

• Increase in bird population

• Decrease in insect population

• Spread of malaria

• Surge in rat population

What new problems did the Dak people face due to the rat overpopulation?

• Malaria outbreak

• Plague and grain destruction

• Loss of livestock

• Water contamination

What was the World Health Organization's innovative solution to the rat problem?

• Using more DDT

• Building rat traps

• Parachuting live cats

• Introducing snakes

What was the name of the operation to control the rat population?

• Operation Rat Trap

• Operation Cat Drop

• Operation Pest Control

• Operation Clean Sweep