Gophers, squirrels may be unleashing toxins into bay

Gophers and squirrels may be unleashing toxins into the bay from a former Berkeley landfill and now the city is taking new steps to get rid of them.

Hundreds of ground squirrels and Western pocket gophers have dug holes all over Cesar Chavez Park on the Berkeley shore.

Officials say rainwater is filling the holes and possibly washing toxins into the bay.

The city has tried in vain to attract birds of prey.

A contractor plans to fence off the park a section at a time to trap and then terminate the animals.