Island Conservation
Snipe, Penguins, Parakeets, and Petrels are some of the many bird species that live and nest on Antipodes Island. In addition to this impressive variety of winged natives, a diversity of plants and insects call Antipodes Island home. But there used to be more. Since the accidental introduction of mice in the 1800’s, the unique native flora […]
Loop Tonga recently covered our successful operation to protect native biodiversity on the islands of Malinoa and Motu Tapu in Tonga, Polynesia by removing invasive rats. The project to restore Malinoa and Motu Tapu was carried out by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Island Conservation and the Government of Tonga. On May 24, 2016, the partners […]
Island Conservation is teaming up with partners to remove invasive mice from Antipodes Island. The mice have altered the biodiversity of the island by preying on native plant and animal species–they have already wiped out two insect species. The Million Dollar Mouse restoration project aims to put an end to the destruction caused by these invasive […]
The Endangered Northern Quoll might be one of the cutest threatened native Australian species there is. This small mammal with big eyes and long whiskers recently experienced a devastating population crash. Why? We think invasive and introduced species are to blame…Particularly cats and feral herbivores like cattle pigs and buffalo. – Anthony Simms, senior project […]
In the beginning, Tromelin Island, a small, remote land mass off the coast of Madagascar, was a healthy home for a variety of bird and plant species. The island was beautiful and thriving until one day when people accidentally introduced rats. The island’s ecosystem began to collapse–six of the eight bird species native to the island could not cope […]
Blue Iguanas, threatened by invasive species, were downlisted from “Critically Endangered” to “Endangered” thanks to conservation efforts. What could possibly put a 5-foot long, 25-lb giant reptile on the Critically Endangered species list? How could the largest species on the Grand Cayman Islands be at risk of extinction? Under normal conditions the Blue Iguana would thrive in its native […]
Have you heard of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot? It’s a small furry marsupial that lives in Tasmania and Victoria, Australia. If you’ve never seen one before, it’s not too late. Thanks to a recovery program, this adorable species is rebounding from extinction. The Eastern Barred Bandicoot’s population size had fallen at an alarming rate in […]
Conservationists celebrate the successful breeding season of the Tāiko, a Critically Endangered seabird native to New Zealand. One of New Zealand’s most endangered birds just had a very successful breeding season! The Chatham Island Tāiko, also known as the Magenta Petrel, is a Critically Endangered seabird and was thought to be extinct for over 100 […]
Though they make up less than 5% of the world’s land mass, islands are home to 20% of bird, plant, and reptile species. The Seychelles Islands are among these major hotspots for biodiversity. Quarter-ton tortoises, minuscule frogs, charismatic birds and many other astonishing species have long lived together in the dazzling Seychelles landscape. However, hundreds of years of […]
Working with local people is key when it comes to protecting native wildlife. Conservationists from the Isles of Scilly Seabird Recovery Project and restoration specialists from Wildlife Management International jointed together with local volunteers to eradicate invasive rats that were killing seabirds. Manx Shearwater chick. Photo by Nick Tomalin Since the removal of the rat population, […]