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Antipodes Island: One Year Post-implementation

One year after the implementation of a project to remove invasive mice from Antipodes Island, New Zealand conservationists have hope for the recovery of the island.

A little over one year after the implementation of a project to remove invasive mice from Antipodes Island, New Zealand, the native birds appear to be thriving and the island remains mouse-free. Although the confirmation will not occur until 2018, the one-year mark is a positive sign for the island’s recovery.

Antipodes Island is a 22 km² (13m²) island southeast of New Zealand and is home to 21 species of seabirds and 2 endemic species of ground birds. Now, without the threat of 200,000 invasive mice, native plants and animals have a chance to thrive. For years invasive species had inhibited native Antipodean Albatross, Antipodean Parakeets, and Reischek’s Parakeets from breeding. Now the endemic parakeets can forage safely, and without mice there is more food to go around.

A Near Threatened Reischek’s Parakeet on Antipodes Island. Credit: Jason Zito/Island Conservation

The project was part of the Million Dollar Mouse campaign that Island Conservation and partners worked to remove invasive mice from the island. A year after the project was implemented the signs of recovery on the island are positive, but the island’s invasive-free status cannot be confirmed quite yet. For a project of this magnitude, two breeding seasons need to pass to ensure no remaining invasive mice are hiding on the island. Hopefully, the 2018 visit to Antipodes will yield more positive news and an official confirmation.

Featured: An Antipodean Wandering Albatross and chick. Credit: Jason Zito/Island Conservation
Source: Predator Free New Zealand

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About Emily Heber

Emily is a recent graduate from UC Santa Barbara with a BS in Zoology. As a student, she discovered that she had a passion for the conservation of endangered species and their ecosystems. Her background in informal education has allowed her the opportunity to share her passion for animals with others, something she seeks to continue doing while working with the communication team. In her spare time, Emily enjoys exploring the amazing hiking trails found in Santa Cruz and tries to SCUBA dive whenever possible. Emily is excited to join the Island Conservation team and to help share the amazing work that is being done here.