Penguin Island Restoration a Success!

Penguin Island, Western Australia, is now free of invasive rats. 

Western Australia’s Department of Parks and Wildlife has announced a conservation intervention project to remove invasive rats from Penguin Island is complete. The invasive rodents had been off-setting the ecosystem’s balance; now that the island is free from this unnatural pressure, native plants and wildlife can recover. Environment Minister Albert Jacob said:

Black rats are one of the world’s most widespread and destructive invasive animal species.The rats were attacking birds, eggs, penguin chicks and native skinks.

island conservation science little penguins
Little Penguins are among many native species that will benefit from this project. Credit: Ken and Nyetta

Little Penguins, native to the island, are one of many native species expected to flourish now that the invasive rats are gone.

Featured photo: Penguin Island, Western Australia. Credit: Leo Suarez
Source: PerthNow

 

Back Next

Want to learn more?

Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.

What is Climate Week?

Climate Week NYC: what is it and why is it important? Read on to find out why Island Conservation is attending this amazing event!

Rare Joins the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge

Rare will support the effort to restore island-ocean ecosystems by engaging the Coastal 500 network of local leaders in safeguarding biodiversity (Arlington, VA, USA) Today, international conservation organization Rare announced it has joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), a global effort to…

Video Footage Highlights Lehua Island Restoration Project

Video captures insights and hopes from the partners who are working to restore Lehua Island, Hawai’i. In 2021, Lehua Island officially became free from the threat of invasive rodents. This is a huge accomplishment that has enriched the region’s biodiversity…

Tequila Sunrise? Or Floreana Sunrise?

Carolina Torres describes how the project to restore and rewild Floreana Island signals hope for a future where people and nature can thrive together in the Galápagos.