SAN NICOLAS ISLAND RESTORATION PROJECT

Six of the eight islands in the Channel Islands Archipelago are home to a unique fox subspecies found nowhere else in the world. San Nicolas Island supports a large and healthy population of this island fox. The island’s natural vegetation, once common throughout California, is now restricted to the most remote or protected corners of the state, such as San Nicolas. Howling winds, extremes of temperature, and torrential storms have created a tough environment, and native life has adapted to these rugged conditions—but not to the presence of non-native, invasive feral cats. For years, feral cats competed with foxes for food and resources, and directly preyed on seabirds and lizards.

In 2009, Island Conservation and our partners began relocating feral cats from San Nicolas to a permanent sanctuary on mainland California in an effort to protect native species. This conservation action provides the opportunity for habitat and native species to recover. Since the last known feral cat was removed, there are already signs of the island’s native plants and animals on a path to recovery.

RESTORING AN ISLAND ECOSYSTEM

1. WHAT NATIVE WILDLIFE IS FOUND HERE?

San Nicolas Island is a relatively untouched ecosystem, home to numerous species found exclusively in the Channel Islands, including at least twenty-five invertebrates, sixteen plant species, one reptile, three birds, and two mammals. Several at-risk species inhabit the island, including the San Nicolas Island Fox, Western Snowy Plover, and Island Night Lizard. San Nicolas supports three rare native vegetation communities and important seabird colonies and is surrounded by a spectacular marine and intertidal environment teeming with Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, Southern Sea Otters, and Northern Elephant Seals.

2. HOW DID ISLAND CONSERVATION TRACK AND REMOVE FERAL CATS OVER SUCH A LARGE TERRAIN? 

Island Conservation and our partners employed cutting-edge technology that helped make the project a success. An extensive •field trap monitoring system was deployed, which enabled staff to quickly respond to sprung traps. Field staff utilized rugged pocket computers loaded with GPS and GIS capabilities to record data and locations and to track our coverage of the island. Field data were analyzed daily, resulting in real-time analysis of progress made during the project. 

3. WHAT IS THE BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS RESTORATION PROJECT? 

By removing feral cats, Island Conservation helped protect rare and endangered species. San Nicolas Island’s native life—some found nowhere else in the world—was threatened by introduced feral cats, which preyed on endemic lizards and deer mice, as well as on nesting seabirds and other birds. Feral cats also directly competed with foxes for habitat. 

4. WHAT COLLABORATIONS ENABLED THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT?

This project was made possible with funding from the Montrose Settlement Restoration Program, which is dedicated to restoring natural resources harmed by DDTs and PCBs in the southern California marine environment.