Home / Environment / Rabbits Gone, Seabirds Soar: Island Success!
Rabbits Gone, Seabirds Soar: Island Success!
12 Oct
Summary
- Rabbit eradication on Cabbage Tree Island restored vital habitat.
- Gould's petrel population surged after invasive species removal.
- A second breeding colony was established on Boondelbah Island.
On Cabbage Tree Island, near Port Stephens, New South Wales, a crucial conservation effort successfully eradicated invasive European rabbits, a significant threat to the native Gould's petrel. Introduced in 1906, the rabbits devastated the island's vegetation, including the cabbage tree palms and other plants essential for the petrels' breeding habitat.
The rabbit eradication operation in 1997 employed a multi-faceted approach, including myxomatosis, rabbit haemorrhagic disease, and aerial baiting with brodifacoum. This intensive campaign effectively eliminated the rabbit population, although two buff-banded rails and one pied currawong were unintentionally lost.
The removal of rabbits, alongside other conservation measures like predator management, led to a remarkable recovery for the Gould's petrel. By 2000, the island hosted over 800 breeding pairs, producing more than 400 young annually, a substantial increase from earlier low numbers.
Concerned about the species' vulnerability due to a concentrated population, conservationists established a second breeding colony on nearby Boondelbah Island. Between 1999 and 2000, 200 chicks were successfully transferred, with a high survival rate, demonstrating the viability of a new breeding site.
As of 2009, the Gould's petrel's conservation status improved from endangered to vulnerable, reflecting the success of these targeted conservation strategies. The Cabbage Tree Island experience highlights the importance of addressing habitat degradation and diversifying breeding locations for species recovery.
