Island Conservation
New Zealand schools team up with government to protect native plants and wildlife. In New Zealand, locals know how damaging invasive species can be. Recognizing the importance of local biodiversity and the opportunity to support native species, schools are teaming up with the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Many of our endemic wildlife species are on […]
The Atoll Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus coralensis) is endemic to the islands of French Polynesia. This bird species is listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature due to low population sizes in areas with introduced predators. This is the only species of dove in the Tropical Pacific that is adapted exclusively to low […]
Australian government plans to remove feral cats from Kangaroo Island within 15 years. Kangaroo Island in Southern Australia is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Southern Brown Bandicoot, Kangaroo Island Echidna, Kangaroo Island Dunnart, and Southern Emu Wren. These distinctive native Australian species have been struggling ever since feral cats invaded Kangaroo Island. Feral […]
A paper published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences details how invasive species removal can restore island ecosystems and protect native species. Ecosystems around the world suffer from the presence of invasive species. Invasive species, when introduced to a foreign environment, can cause sudden and disastrous shifts in the ecosystem. Although invasive species erode ecosystem vitality around […]
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that invasive predators have contributed to close to 60% of extinctions of birds, mammals, and reptiles. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature classified 596 species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered due to invasive species. The actual number is believed to be higher […]
Dirk Hartog Island is the largest island off the coast of Western Australia (WA). Impacts from people and invasive species they introduced to the island have degraded the island’s ecosystem. Feral cats, in particular, became a serious threat to native wildlife. Seven years ago, the island was announced a National Park by WA Department of […]
Maud Island is a scientific sanctuary in the Marlborough Sounds. In 2013, invasive mice were discovered damaging the native ecosystem on Maud Island, New Zealand. Kakapo, native insects including weta, lizards, and the endemic Maud Island Frog were in need of conservation intervention. Maud Island biodiversity ranger Frank Higgott and his partner Sue Caldwell began a program to […]
This conservation program aims to increase the Dibbler population and set the stage for future population building on the mainland. A Dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) is a small, carnivorous marsupial found in Western Australia and some of its offshore islands. Principle research scientist leading the Western Shield, Department of Parks and Wildlife conservation program, Tony Friend, said: […]
Conservationists are systematically surveying atolls in search of invasive and native ant species. Ants are some of the best hitchhikers in the world. – Conservation biologist Dr. James Russell In an age of increasing globalization and mobilization, transportation of invasive species–intentional or not–has become an urgent problem. Even the smallest of invasives can cause profound […]
Habitat set aside for the Critically Endangered Rock Iguana came under threat by plans for development. Thanks to incredible efforts, the region has been saved and will support the iguanas. Once common in Jamaica, this iguana is now among the most endangered species in the world. And without the hard work of many conservationists, it […]