World Firsts on Henderson Island

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Media Release

World Firsts on Henderson Island

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in conjunction with the Pitcairn Islands Government is delighted to announce that the ground-breaking operation to restore Henderson Island has now taken place.

At 43km², Henderson is the largest tropical or sub-tropical island ever to be subject to a rat eradication operation, and the third largest island yet treated in the world.

The project was also the first time an aerial eradication operation has been conducted from the deck of a ship, and saw Henderson rails successfully bred in captivity for the first time.

Rats have had a devastating effect on the island, killing over 25,000 petrel chicks a year and driving the Henderson petrel towards extinction. Seabirds, which would have numbered in the millions before rats arrived, have been reduced to just 40,000 pairs.

Rats have also been limiting the populations of other endemic bird species, altered the forest through seed consumption, and preyed upon marine turtle hatchlings and Henderson’s unique invertebrate populations.

British High Commissioner and Governor for Pitcairn, Vicki Treadell said “Whilst we cannot yet be certain whether all the rats have been eradicated, we are optimistic of success and eagerly await the 2013 monitoring expedition which will hopefully confirm that this unique World Heritage Site is now rat-free.”

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