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Island Invaded: Helicopters Deploy 550 Tons of Poison
10 Jul
Summary
- Marion Island faces a massive mouse eradication effort.
- Helicopters will drop 550 tons of poison to kill invasive mice.
- The operation aims to save seabirds attacked by the growing mouse population.
Marion Island, a remote South African subantarctic territory, is undergoing a critical eradication project to eliminate an overwhelming mouse population. Introduced accidentally in the early 19th century, these rodents have proliferated due to a lack of natural predators and birds' undeveloped defenses.
In recent decades, mice have begun attacking live seabirds, including albatross chicks, a phenomenon causing significant concern among conservationists. Climate change is also linked to the increased mouse population, extending their breeding season and density.
The Mouse-Free Marion project, a collaboration between BirdLife South Africa and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, is orchestrating this effort. The strategy involves distributing up to 550 tons of rodenticide bait via helicopters across the island's approximately 30,000 hectares.
An aerial test is scheduled between April and May 2027 to evaluate the equipment, flight routes, and logistical coordination. This operation is crucial as 19 of the 29 bird species breeding on the island are at risk of local extinction if the mice are not removed.
Previous eradication attempts, such as the removal of feral cats in the 1990s, were successful against those predators but failed to address the persistent mouse problem. The current bait is designed to minimize impact on the soil and water sources.
