Invasive Species

Tag: Invasive Species

The Loss of the San Cristóbal Vermilion Flycatcher Marks the First Recorded Galápagos Endemic Bird Extinction. How Can We Prevent the Next One?

The San Cristóbal Vermilion Flycatcher, a bird species endemic to the Galápagos Islands, has gone extinct.  The Galápagos Islands are famous for their incredibly high biodiversity. Are they at risk of becoming famous for high extinction rates? The San Cristóbal Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus dubius) used to fly, sing, forage, and build nests on San Cristóbal Island of the Galápagos […]

Written by on October 27, 2016

Invasive Feral Cats Transmitting Deadly Parasite to Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals

Feral cats are already known for threatening small native wildlife. Now, new evidence is emerging that indicates that by transmitting parasites, feral cats are also harming larger animals. Evidence is mounting that the small predators are responsible for an outsize number of wildlife deaths around the globe. Feral cats are known to cause ecological damage by […]

Written by on October 27, 2016

New Zealand Schools and Government Partner to Protect Native Species

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 […]

Written by on October 27, 2016

Fascinating Facts about Five Extraordinary Island Birds

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 […]

Written by on October 26, 2016

Australian Government Springs into Action to Restore Kangaroo Island

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 […]

Written by on October 20, 2016

The Research is Clear: To Prevent Extinctions, Restore Islands

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 […]

Written by on October 13, 2016

New Study: Management of Invasive Predators on Islands a Global Conservation Priority

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 […]

Written by on October 13, 2016

Native Wildlife to be Reintroduced to Dirk Hartog Island, AU

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 […]

Written by on October 13, 2016

Scientific Sanctuary Maud Island, NZ, is Now Pest-free

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 […]

Written by on October 13, 2016

Conservationists Turn to Predator-Free Island to Save Endangered Dibblers

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: […]

Written by on October 13, 2016