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Island Conservation
Seabirds are a valued part of French Polynesia’s cultural history, but invasive species have led to population declines…a problem that Island Conservation and our partners are working to correct. The Islands of French Polynesia have historically supported a wide variety of seabird species with more than 28 species native to the region. Seabirds are crucial for […]
Wisdom the Laysan Albatross, the world’s oldest known bird producing offspring in the wild, has recently hatched yet another chick on Midway Atoll. Laysan Albatross flock to the wildlife refuge on Midway Atoll every year to nest. Among them is Wisdom, who shocks the world by hatching young well into old age. Each year, her […]
New marine reserve off the coast of Vancouver, Canada will have a positive impact both on and offshore. Seabirds are grateful. Vancouver’s coastal islands might seem remote and untouched, but the threat of invasive species is a serious concern for seabirds. Some of the islands off of cape Scott have been protected by conservation measures […]
Four Fairy Tern chicks (classified Vulnerable) just hatched on beaches from Waipu to Mangawhai, New Zealand. The Fairy Tern is a beautiful seabird species classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as Vulnerable. This seabird nests on mainland coastlines as well as on offshore islands. The species faces a number of threats, including […]
A story of change and recovery on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, a novel environment. By: Wieteke Holthuijzen Located at the far end of the extensive Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of the most remote atolls in the world—more than 1,500 miles north-west from Honolulu, Hawai’i. Home to the world’s […]
World’s oldest Laysan Albatross, Wisdom, returns to Midway Atoll to nest. “Wisdom” is the world’s oldest Laysan Albatross. At age 66, she far exceeds the expected lifespan of 20-40 years. To the surprise of biologists, not only is she living long, but she is also still hatching chicks year after year. We were excited about […]
Scientists suspect ocean warming explains the hundreds of dead, starved Tufted Puffins that are washing up on the shores of the Pribilof Islands off the coast of Alaska. Imagine a shoreline littered with the starved bodies of Tufted Puffins. The eerie scene is unlike anything seen before in the Pribilof Islands. University of Washington professor Julia Parrish noted: In […]
Following invasive species removal on Macquarie Island, Tasmania, Australia numerous seabird species are rebounding. For decades, introduced predators and grazers wreaked havoc on Macquarie Island, deep in the Southern Ocean. Until recently, globally important seabird populations were at immediate risk of being lost and unique sub-Antarctic ecosystems were being destroyed. However, since the last feral […]
Something is happening on Choros Island, Chile. Imagine a penguin poking his head above the sea, looking around in all directions. He wants to be sure there is no threat nearby before jumping to the closest rock. Once on land, with little jumps and steps, he decisively walks up the cliff to reach a safe […]
Island Conservation staff train local residents restoration techniques. This past February, I was lucky enough to spend three weeks on Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile working alongside local residents who are committed to the conservation of their extraordinary island home. The island, which is located approximately 415 miles (670 km) off the coast of central Chile, […]